Yours Truly, Uniquely Singapore Lah!

I received the following email from a toastmaster friend, Affendi. I must thank God that I am now a real estate agent, and not a restaurateur or chef in a food centre. I am thankful that for the eight years that I was running Rialto Italian Cuisine, I did not have any of my customers rushing to the toilets or hospital.

I had written an article on the wonders of Apple Cider Vinegar and how apple cider vinegar helps to ward off potential food poisoning. My article was published in the New Paper, conveying my sympathies for the victims as well as the food operator, but nothing was mentioned about the apple cider vinegar which I wanted to share with readers. Food poisoning is the "happening" latest topic of interest. In view of so much germs and bacteria in the air, and in view of the many incidents of food poisoning, I have been even more vigilant and disciplined in my consumption of apple cider vinegar. Not too much.....for too much of even a good thing is not really advisable, just a glass of apple cider vinegar with honey everyday will give that added peace of mind in

This little island called Fried Rice Paradise,
Where every dish is often very nice,
I think it's nice; you think it's nice, so do the mice!
We just have to sometimes pay a heavy price!

For those of you who do not believe in apple cider vinegar, the safest method is to cook your own food in the comfort of your own kitchen.! You will then be spared being poisoned by contaminated food!


Hi Everyone,

You, your loved ones and friends may find the following guide from the National Environment Agency (NEA) useful in helping you decide on your next hawker food:



Category A - Serious Offences

1. Selling dirty/contaminated/unfit food.

2. Preparing food on the floor/in the toilet.

3. Failing to keep stall/food establishment free of vermin/insects.

4. Discharging sullage water into open drain.

5. Conveying food in a dirty compartment of a vehicle.

6. Containing food in a container or receptacle, which has been used to contain any poison or harmful material.

7. Failing to register assistants who are engaged in the preparation and sale of food.

8. Engaging assistants without valid typhoid inoculation cards.

9. Engaging assistants who have not passed the Food Hygiene Course.



Category B - Major Offences

1. Improper storage of food.

2. Sealing food wrapper with staples, clips or other metal device.

3. Packing food in contact with printed matter or wrapper. Packing food in dirty wrapper or container.

4. Using dirty/chipped/broken/cracked crockery/utensils.

5. Smoking, spitting, coughing, sneezing, expelling mucus or chewing tobacco/betel nuts while preparing food.

6. Using bare hands to handle cooked food.

7. Exposing or conveying cooked food for sale without proper cover.

8. Failing to provide adequate number of proper refuse bins.

9. Placing food for sale into contact with any substance, material or article, which is likely to contaminate such food.

10. Sweeping food scraps onto the floor.

11. Preparing or selling food outside the food establishment and food centre.

12. Setting up unauthorised stall at the premises.

13. Using dirty rag or cloth to wipe tables/food/crockery/utensils/packing materials.

14. Failing to keep toilet clean and sanitary appliances in order and repair.

15. Failing to provide toilet with toilet paper, soap or liquid detergent, litter bin, or clean towel or hand dryer.

16. Failing to keep stall/kitchen/refreshment area clean.

17. Failing to keep clothing and exposed areas of body clean.

18. Keeping animals in stall/food establishment.

19. Selling frozen food, which has been thawed and refrozen for sale.

20. Serving left-over food or re-using wrappers, packages, drinking straw or disposable crockery.

21. Preparing food at a place where noxious, toxic or offensive matter is placed or where work is carried out which is likely to contaminate the food.

22. Failing to wash hands after using toilets or applying fingers to the mouth, eye, ear, nose, scalp or touching dirty articles.

23. Feeding birds and stray animals with food wastes.

24. Failing to cover refuse bins.



Category C - Minor Offences

1. Erecting unauthorised extension to stall/food establishment.

2. Failing to use plastic bag for refuse disposal.

3. Failing to display license in a conspicuous position.



And while researching on land, location and buildings, I came across the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore’s listing of meat/fish/egg processing establishments and slaughter-houses, and their grades i.e. A (Excellent), B (Good), C (Average) and D (Pass):



http://www.ava.gov.sg/FoodSector/FoodTradersAndEst/LicMeatFishProcessEstColdStoresPoultry/



Let’s do what we can to spread the message of gracious living!



Warm regards,



Affendi



(No, I don’t work for the NEA but all requests for further references are welcomed)