Table of contents
- What is the SAFE Framework?
- Award Tier and License Duration
- Training Course for Food Handlers and Food Hygiene Officers
- About WSQ Food Safety Courses
What is SFA Safety Assurance for Food Establishment (SAFE) Framework?
The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) Safety Assurance for Food Establishments (SAFE) framework is an integrated licensing framework to provide better food safety assurance to consumers.
Under the framework, food establishments across retail and non-retail food establishments that have demonstrated good track record of food safety assurance (i.e. no major food safety lapses over a stated period of time) and have in place capabilities and systems to ensure better food safety and hygiene standards (e.g. appointment of Advanced Food Hygiene Officer, implementation of Food Safety Management System) will be eligible for:
- Longer licence durations (3/5/10 years)
- Higher award tiers (Bronze/Silver/Gold)
How will I know my SAFE Award status?
In early 2022, SFA will notify licensees of their projected award statuses. Licensees will have about a year to put in the necessary systems such as FSMS/Accredited FSMS and for staff to undergo necessary training – Food Safety Courses Level 1 – 4.
In late 2022, based on the documents received in the system as well as the track records, SFA will notify licensees on their final award status prior to the implementation of the SAFE in Jan 2023.
When will the industry transit from the Annual Grading System to the SAFE framework?
The SAFE framework will come into effect on 1 July 2022 for new licences.
Existing food establishments will transit to the SAFE framework from 1 January 2023 at the point of their licence renewal.
Award Tier and License Duration
Category A and B Food Establishments
The table below depicts the criteria for award tier and license duration for Category A and B food establishments.
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Category of food establishments |
Criteria for Award tier and licence duration |
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No Award 1-year licence |
Bronze 3-years licence |
Silver 5-years licence |
Gold 10-years licence |
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Category A Food establishments that are involved in significant food handling practices with higher food safety risks (e.g. preparation, processing and storage of food under temperature-controlled conditions) All Category A food establishments are required to appoint a trained Food Hygiene Officer (FHO). Examples of licences: food manufacturers, caterers, in-house kitchens, restaurants, canteens (without stall), slaughterhouses |
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Category B Food establishments that are involved in moderate food handling and food storage practices with lower food safety risks Examples of licences: bakeries, food shops, mobile food wagons, cold stores, small restaurants |
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1 Examples of major lapses include causing a foodborne outbreak, being convicted in court for offences against SFA’s regulations, or a suspension of the licence. 2 A recognised FSMS under the SAFE framework include SS 444, SS 590, ISO 22000, FSSC 22000 and BRC Global Food Standards (BRCGS). A requirement of the Gold Tier is that the FSMS is certified by a Certification Body, which is:
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Category C Food Establishments
The table below depicts the criteria for award tier and license duration for Category C food establishments.
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Category of food establishments |
Criteria for licence duration |
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1-year licence |
3-years licence |
5-years licence |
10-years licence |
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Category C Food establishments that are involved in minimal food handling and food storage practices that have negligible food safety risks Examples of licences: main operators of eating house/ food courts/ canteen (with stalls), food vending machines, market produce, private market, supermarkets Category C food establishments will not have awards (i.e. Gold, Silver and Bronze) under SAFE framework. |
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1 Examples of major lapses include causing a foodborne outbreak, being convicted in court for offences against SFA’s regulations, or a suspension of the licence. |
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Food stalls e.g. hawker stalls, canteen food stalls, restaurant within a coffeeshop/food court/canteen are not included in the categorisation. Nevertheless, they are part of the SAFE framework and will need to comply with food safety requirements and inspections, and will be given recognition awards based on their good track record (no major lapses). Their licence durations will be dependent on the tenancy agreement period. |
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Training Course for Food Handlers and Food Hygiene Officers
To support and complement the SAFE framework, SFA has implemented a training framework. The Food Safety Courses (FSC) are organised into four levels:
Level 1 of the FSC covers basic food safety principles for food handlers.
Level 2 of the FSC is for food handlers who level up and take on greater responsibilities in the kitchen. It equips them with the know-how to conduct food safety checks for their specific work areas.
Level 3 of the FSC will equip Food Hygiene Officers (FHO) with the knowledge to implement food safety pre-requisite programmes and basic principles of HACCP and Food Safety Management System (FSMS).
Level 4 of the FSC are for FHOs to become Advanced FHOs — the course will cover the implementation of FSMS and how to conduct broader food safety checks and internal audits.
The breadth and depth of the curriculum increase as attendees progress through the levels. Food handlers and food hygiene officers will be required to complete the relevant courses following the rollout of the SAFE framework.
WSQ Food Safety Course Level 1 (Food handlers)
Under the SAFE framework, all food handlers in non-retail food establishments will be required to attend and pass the WSQ Food Safety Course Level 1. Food handlers in existing non-retail food establishment can start attending the WSQ Food Safety Course Level 1 now in order to meet the requirements in January 2023.
There will be no change to the current training requirements for food handlers in retail food establishments. Find out more about the Food Safety Level 1 course (WSQ Basic Food Hygiene Course).
WSQ Food Safety Course Level 2 (Food handlers)
WSQ Food Safety Course Level 2 is intended for upskilling of food handlers, who will receive additional training on conducting food safety checks at their specific work areas. Find out more about the Food Safety Level 2 course.
WSQ Food Safety Course Level 3 (Food Hygiene Officers)
All Category A food establishments will be required to appoint a trained FHO who has attended and passed the WSQ Food Safety Course Level 3. FHOs (e.g. in retail food establishments) who have passed the WSQ Conduct Food and Beverage Hygiene Audit Course or have been previously trained under the FHO course conducted by Singapore Environment Institute (SEI) will continue to be recognised by SFA. Information on FHOs and Food Safety Course Level 3 can be found on the SFA website. Find out more about the Food Safety Level 3 course (Food Hygiene Officer Course).
WSQ Food Safety Course Level 4 (Advanced Food Hygiene Officers)
Category A establishments aspiring for the Gold award will be required to appoint a trained Advanced FHO who has attended and passed the WSQ Food Safety Course Level 4. Supervisory personnel who have passed the WSQ Apply Food Safety Management Systems for Food Service Establishments will continue to be recognised by SFA and can be appointed as an Advanced FHO. The list of training providers for WSQ Food Safety Course Level 4 will be updated soon. For the above WSQ courses, subsidies are available from SSG.
About WSQ Food Safety Courses
Launched by SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG), the Workforce Skills Qualification (WSQ) system is the national qualifications system for the food and beverage industry. SFA, together with SSG, have harmonised the training curriculum and assessment for retail and non-retail food businesses, in alignment with the refreshed SSG Skills Framework (SFw).
Information source : Safety Assurance for Food Establishment (SAFE) Framework
For more information about our F&B related courses, go to F&B Courses.
