HYGIENE RATING SCHEME FOR EATING ESTABLISHMENTS

Mr Chew Heng Ching asked the Minister for the Environment if the Hygiene Rating Scheme for eating establishments has been a success.

The Senior Minister of State for the Environment (Encik Sidek bin Saniff) (for the Minister for the Environment): Sir, the purpose of the grading system of cooked food retail outlets is to give consumers an idea of the outlet's level of hygiene and cleanliness standards, as assessed by my Ministry. The system is also intended to prompt the operator to improve or to maintain the high standard he already has achieved. I must inform the House in this respect, the scheme has worked well.

When the scheme was first introduced in May 1998, 7,171 food outlets (or 34.5% of all food outlets) were graded "A" and "B". The number of these two categories has increased to 8,313 (or 38.7%), an increase of 4.2% of grade "A" and grade "B". Generally, feedback from both the public as well as food retailers has been very positive.

Mr Chew Heng Ching: Sir, I wish to ask the Senior Minister of State whether he will tell the House the criteria for the assessment and how frequent is the assessment made and whether MOE can step up its frequency of review and assessment of the food establishments.

Encik Sidek bin Saniff: There are only two important criteria. Sir, first, the hygiene of the person who is involved. The second criterion is the standard of cleanliness of that outlet. Generally, we assess the shop or outlet once a year. But there is leeway for him to make it earlier, for instance, the food outlet may request for reassessment if his premises undergoes extensive renovation.

Mr Chew Heng Ching: I think the Senior Minister of State has not answered my second question. I have one other supplementary question and, that is, whether the location of the food establishment is one of the criteria.

Encik Sidek bin Saniff: We have never stipulated that.

Mr Chew Heng Ching: How about the frequency of review?

Encik Sidek bin Saniff: It is once a year, or when they have spent a lot of money on renovation, they can call us and we will consider it.

Mr Chew Heng Ching: Would the Senior Minister of State step up the frequency of review to, say, twice a year in order to uphold the standard of hygiene?

Encik Sidek bin Saniff: As of now, it is once a year. But for those with "D" grade, we allow them an earlier review, for instance, once in three months. For the rest, in order to see how good they are, we give them up to one year. But if they have extensive renovation, they can just write a letter to my Ministry and we will assess them.

Mr Chew Heng Ching: Would the Minister consider requests by CCCs or constituencies inviting the Ministry of the Environment to go in to review the food establishment as and when necessary?

Encik Sidek bin Saniff: You are not talking about one outlet. You are talking about the whole area or centre. We may consider the request.