Food Safety

a S'lar 1 Responsibility YJ
~AVA

AVA is the national authority for food safety in Singapore. AVA

regulates the safety of both fresh produce and processed food , from
1
•
production or point of import to just before they enter the retail chain.
AVA has put in place an integrated food safety system to ensure
that food sold in Singapore is safe. Our food safety requirements
are stringent and consistent with international standards.
The system involves checking of toed produced at source, inspection
of food , testing and analysis, and source tracing . It also includes
surveillance and monitoring for food threats. Together
In addition, AVA continuously scans the horizon for potential threats
to food safety and updates its systems to tackle such problems.
Let's Keep
Food
The food industry is also responsible for the safety of the food it hi~=-" Safe!
offers to consumers. Food manufacturers, importers and distributors
in Singapore have to maintain a high standard of food safety by
complying with the stringent requirements of AVA.
Responsible food industry players raise public confidence in their
products by incorporating food safety assurance programmes and
hygienic practices in their operations.
AVA also works closely with the food industry and trade to advise
them on food safety issues.
0
Government authorities can exert some control over the quality
and safety of food produced or imported through legislation and
enforcement. However, formal control is not possible at the
household level.
As a consumer, you have direct control over the safety of food
prepared for yourself and your household . You can do this by
equipping yourself with knowledge of food safety risks , and safe
food practices to avoid the risks.
By taking appropriate actions, you can play a part in protecting
your own well-being and the well-being of your family.
Play Your Part in Ensuring Food Safety ® Wash and Keep Clean © Cook your food well
Most cases of foodborne diseases occur as a result of Micro-organisms are everywhere in our environment - in the air, Thorough cooking helps to kill all harmful bacteria in food. Food
mishand ling of food during preparations, whether in homes, water, soil, in humans and animals. Harmful micro-organisms may that requires special attention includes meat patties, barbequed
at parties or in food establishments. be found on our hands, wiping cloths or food . meat, whole poultry and seafood .

Tips:
We can protect our well-being and the well-being of our family Tips:
by observing the following 5 key tips of food safety:- Wash your hands with soap and water before
handling any food items or utensils. Cook food thoroughly, especially meat, poultry, eggs and
• Select the food you buy carefully. seafood .
• Wash and keep clean . Wash your hands before and after preparing
• Separate raw and cooked food to avoid cross-contamination. each type of food , especially raw meat Cook food at high temperatures above 7S°C.
• Cook your food well. and seafood.
• Keep food at safe temperatures. Bring food like stews, soups and curries to boiling temperatures
Wash your hands after using when cooking .
~ the toilet.
Select the food you buy carefully
Wash and soak fruits and
CJ:) Keep food at safe temperatures
Food safety begins when we do our shopping.
vegetables before eating . When it comes to food, there are two temperatures to keep in
Exercising care in food selection can mind - keep hot food at 60°C and above, and cold food at 4°C
reduce the risk of food poisoning. Clean all kitchen surfaces like countertops and cutting boards and below.
with detergent and hot water.
Tips: Tips:
Wash dishcloths and tea towels frequently and disinfect kitchen
Buy food from established sponges in chlorine (bleach) solution . Do not leave cooked food at room temperature for more than
and reliable retail stores. 2 hours.
Separate raw from cooked food
Select food that has not Reheat stored cooked food at temperatures above 7S°C or
passed its expiry date. Raw food may contain dangerous micro-organisms , which can bring them to a boil , to kill bacteria.
cause food poisoning. When raw food is mixed with cooked food,
Do not buy chilled or frozen food juices from raw meat or seafood may contaminate the cooked
Portion out excess cooked food
that is displayed at room temperature. food.
after cooking
This is known as cross-contamination and is the most common quickly.
Select frozen food that has been stored below the load line of
cause of food poisoning .
the freezer or chiller. The load line indicates the level up to Keep cold food in the refrigerator
which frozen food may be stored. or on a bed of ice until it is time
Tips:
to serve.
Do not choose canned food that is badly dented or bloated. Keep raw food in separate bags away from cooked and
ready-to-eat food while shopping . Do not thaw food at room
Avoid food packaging that is torn , leaking or infested with insects. temperature. Thaw food safely
• Wash knives and cutting boards between uses, especially when in the refrigerator overnight,
Do not buy food that has turned mouldy or rancid. It rnay be working with raw and cooked food. · or use the microwave oven.
contaminated with harmful mycotoxins.
Use different serving plates for raw and cooked food. If you use Do not leave food to
Check that bottled milk or drinks are tightly sealed . the same plate, wash between uses. marinate at room
temperature. Keep them
Buy eggs that are clean. Avoid cracked eggs as bacteria can Place raw food in tightly wrapped plastic bags or covered
in a covered bowl in the
enter eggs through the cracks. containers in the refrigerator to prevent raw food juices from
refrigerator.
dripping onto other food.
Play Your Part in Ensuring Food Safety ® Wash and Keep Clean © Cook your food well
Most cases of foodborne diseases occur as a result of Micro-organisms are everywhere in our environment - in the air, Thorough cooking helps to kill all harmful bacteria in food. Food
mishand ling of food during preparations, whether in homes, water, soil, in humans and animals. Harmful micro-organisms may that requires special attention includes meat patties, barbequed
at parties or in food establishments. be found on our hands, wiping cloths or food . meat, whole poultry and seafood .

Tips:
We can protect our well-being and the well-being of our family Tips:
by observing the following 5 key tips of food safety:- Wash your hands with soap and water before
handling any food items or utensils. Cook food thoroughly, especially meat, poultry, eggs and
• Select the food you buy carefully. seafood .
• Wash and keep clean . Wash your hands before and after preparing
• Separate raw and cooked food to avoid cross-contamination. each type of food , especially raw meat Cook food at high temperatures above 7S°C.
• Cook your food well. and seafood.
• Keep food at safe temperatures. Bring food like stews, soups and curries to boiling temperatures
Wash your hands after using when cooking .
~ the toilet.
Select the food you buy carefully
Wash and soak fruits and
CJ:) Keep food at safe temperatures
Food safety begins when we do our shopping.
vegetables before eating . When it comes to food, there are two temperatures to keep in
Exercising care in food selection can mind - keep hot food at 60°C and above, and cold food at 4°C
reduce the risk of food poisoning. Clean all kitchen surfaces like countertops and cutting boards and below.
with detergent and hot water.
Tips: Tips:
Wash dishcloths and tea towels frequently and disinfect kitchen
Buy food from established sponges in chlorine (bleach) solution . Do not leave cooked food at room temperature for more than
and reliable retail stores. 2 hours.
Separate raw from cooked food
Select food that has not Reheat stored cooked food at temperatures above 7S°C or
passed its expiry date. Raw food may contain dangerous micro-organisms , which can bring them to a boil , to kill bacteria.
cause food poisoning. When raw food is mixed with cooked food,
Do not buy chilled or frozen food juices from raw meat or seafood may contaminate the cooked
Portion out excess cooked food
that is displayed at room temperature. food.
after cooking
This is known as cross-contamination and is the most common quickly.
Select frozen food that has been stored below the load line of
cause of food poisoning .
the freezer or chiller. The load line indicates the level up to Keep cold food in the refrigerator
which frozen food may be stored. or on a bed of ice until it is time
Tips:
to serve.
Do not choose canned food that is badly dented or bloated. Keep raw food in separate bags away from cooked and
ready-to-eat food while shopping . Do not thaw food at room
Avoid food packaging that is torn , leaking or infested with insects. temperature. Thaw food safely
• Wash knives and cutting boards between uses, especially when in the refrigerator overnight,
Do not buy food that has turned mouldy or rancid. It rnay be working with raw and cooked food. · or use the microwave oven.
contaminated with harmful mycotoxins.
Use different serving plates for raw and cooked food. If you use Do not leave food to
Check that bottled milk or drinks are tightly sealed . the same plate, wash between uses. marinate at room
temperature. Keep them
Buy eggs that are clean. Avoid cracked eggs as bacteria can Place raw food in tightly wrapped plastic bags or covered
in a covered bowl in the
enter eggs through the cracks. containers in the refrigerator to prevent raw food juices from
refrigerator.
dripping onto other food.
 Food Safety
is a Shared Responsibility

Introduction
Food safety means that when food is consumed, it does not contain
contaminants at levels which cause harm. All persons, whether
they produce, manufacture, distribute, prepare or consume food,
are part of the food chain. As such, the assurance of food safety
is a shared responsibility which requires a multi-sectoral effort by
governments, food industries and consumers.

AVA is the national authority for food safety in Singapore. AVA

regulates the safety of both fresh produce and processed food , from
production or point of import to just before they enter the retail chain.
AVA has put in place an integrated food safety system to ensure
that food sold in Singapore is safe. Our food safety requirements
are stringent and consistent with international standards.
The system involves checking of food produced at source, inspection
of food , testing and analysis, and source tracing. It also includes
surveillance and monitoring for food threats. Together
In addition, AVA continuously scans the horizon for potential threats
to food safety and updates its systems to tackle such problems.
Let's Keep
Food
The food industry is also responsible for the safety of the food it .,..~~ Safe!
offers to consumers. Food manufacturers, importers and distributors
in Singapore have to maintain a high standard of food safety by
complying with the stringent requirements of AVA.
Responsible food industry players raise public confidence in their
products by incorporating food safety assurance programmes and
hygienic practices in their operations.
AVA also works closely with the food industry and trade to advise

.
them on food safety issues.
0 -
Government authorities can exert some control over the quality
and safety of food produced or imported through legislation and
enforcement. However, formal control is not possible at the
household level.
As a consumer, you have direct control over the safety of food
prepared for yourself and your household. You can do this by
equipping yourself with knowledge of food safety risks, and safe
food practices to avoid the risks.
By taking appropriate actions, you can play a part in protecting
your own well-being and the well-being of your family.