Poisoned Rojak - 154th Distorts Letter to Blame Sporns!

[makapaaa]

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR>S'poreans too complacent about public health issues
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<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"--><!-- more than 4 paragraphs -->IN THE Geylang Serai mass food poisoning case, more than 150 people became ill, two adults died and a pregnant victim miscarried.
Singaporeans must shed their "it won't happen to me" complacency and be more assertive on public health issues that can affect them and their loved ones.
Reactive instead of proactive public health officials, indifferent food handlers and an apathetic public are the perfect ingredients for public health disasters.
I suggest the National Environment Agency (NEA) implement the following three-pronged strategy:
- Mount an effective public campaign to educate food-loving Singaporeans on the dangers of food-borne diseases. Show microscope pictures of germs like E. coli and salmonella so the message sinks in. Videos of various unhygienic practices in food outlets should also be shown.
- Appeal to Singaporeans to act as extra pairs of eyes and as whistle-blowers on unhygienic practices. Set up a 24/7 toll-free NEA hotline. Assure all whistle-blowers that their feedback will be handled speedily and confidentially.
- Continue with surprise checks, backed by strict and tough enforcement. But replace the confusing ABCD grading system with a pass-or-fail system. A hawker is either hygienic or not hygienic. A zero-tolerance approach is urgently needed. Hawkers with "fail" grades must buck up before their licences are renewed. Those who pass must maintain hygienic practices, or be given demerit points. If they chalk up a certain number of demerit points, suspend their licence for longer periods than the current two weeks. See Leong Kit

 

[makapaaa]

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR>Monitor food centre cleaners for hygienic practices too
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<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"--><!-- more than 4 paragraphs -->I REFER to Monday's article, "Tie stall renewals to hygiene: Khaw".

It is welcome news that the National Environment Agency (NEA) will intensify its efforts in educating hawkers on the importance of safe hygiene practices.
The NEA and Health Ministry should also ensure that safe hygiene habits are practised by another group of people handling food in public places - cleaning contractors.
Often, cleaning contracts are awarded to contractors with the lowest bids, who then hold a monopoly of such services, regardless of their track records in cleanliness.
When you visit a hawker centre or food outlet, you can observe that leftover food is often not cleared immediately. The most common reason cited is lack of manpower. This problem can be overcome by paying cleaners sustainable salaries, which in turn will entice others to enter the same line of work.
Another common unsightly practice of cleaners is the use of the same dirty cloth or bucket of water to clean tables. They also brush food remnants onto the floor.
Perhaps NEA officers, while on their rounds, should also observe the cleaners. And when a violation is detected, they should take action against the cleaning company for failing to ensure safe hygiene practices by their employees. Paul Antony Fernandez

I donch eat at the lowly hawker centres lah! How do u expect me to know? *chey*​

 

[halsey02]

A PUBLIC CAMPAIGN to educate SINgaporeans, in times like these to eat at home, and not spend obscene amount of money in food courts, food stalls and so forth.

It will be healhtier, save money, and if one gets food poisoning, it will be one's mistake!, and not get blamed...again, again & again.

EAT AT HOME, brown bag food to work, save money & be healthier!

 

[pia]

Looks like NEA is confirming they are a jiat liao bee body :oIo:

What's the point of issuing "C" grade if you can end up dying from food poisoning? If hawkers have bad unacceptable hygiene, they should not be getting a licence at all!