17 Jan was rather eventful for 2 different coffee shops as they were both suspended by the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) on the same day.
Asian Cuisine at Kaki Bukit and Fu Chan Food Paradise at Sembawang faced charges from the SFA for hygiene-related offences. Both establishments were fined for breaching standards on washroom maintenance and had their licenses suspended for a day.
For failing to keep the toilet and sanitary fittings clean and in good repair, Asian Cuisine was fined a total of S$1,100.
Fu Chan Food Paradise, similarly, was found guilty of not maintaining the cleanliness and functionality of the toilet and its facilities. It was fined S$1,500 for the offences.
The Points Demerit System (PDS) by the SFA encourages better food safety standards for food establishments in Singapore. According to the system, points are assigned based on the severity of the offence, sometimes resulting in suspension or even revocation of food licenses.
Due to the accumulation of 12 demerit points within 12 months, both coffee shops were suspended for 1 day. The PDS criteria for coffee shops or food courts states that suspensions may last 1-3 days.
In addition to this, the food handlers and hygiene officers involved will need to retake their Workforce Skills Qualifications (WSQ) Food Safety Course. They will be seen as fit to return for operations only after passing the WSQ Course.
Asian Cuisine and Fu Chan Food Paradise aren’t the only food establishments that have faced such charges. From 1 Jan to 15 Nov 2024, around 900 enforcement actions were taken, and 10 coffee shops were suspended for not keeping toilets and facilities clean.
Food establishments are required to keep their toilets clean, given their responsibility as premises that serve food to the public. Given the severity of hygiene offences, the SFA urges all public restroom users to remain vigilant and do their part in maintaining hygiene.
