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SINGAPORE: From April, stall holders will face tougher penalties if they are caught flouting food hygiene rules.
And for the first time, the demerit points system will also apply to main operators of canteens, coffeeshops and food courts.
Last year's food poisoning outbreak at the Indian rojak stall at Geylang Serai sparked concerns over the hygiene at food centres.
But figures by the National Environment Agency show that such incidents are rare with an average of four cases for every 1,000 food outlets since 2006.
There are about 32,600 licensed food establishments in Singapore including 5,750 cooked food stalls at hawker centres.
Still, authorities are coming down hard on stallholders who don't keep clean.
Currently, stallholders face a composition fine of S$100 for offences ranging from not using a plastic bag to throw away rubbish to preparing food on the floor.
But from April, fines will go up to S$200 for a minor offence and up to S$400 for a serious one.
And the buck doesn't stop there.
From the end of this year, operators of coffee shops, food courts and canteens will also come under the demerit points system.
Offences include not keeping the toilets clean.
And repeat offenders may be forced to shut down for three days to clean up their premises.
This applies to those who chalk up 24 demerit points within 12 months.
The penalties are intended to keep operators on their toes. But in the end, it may be the customer who ends up paying.
Thomas Foo, chairman, Kheng Keow Coffee Merchants, Restaurants and Bar-Owners Association, said: "If we get a fine of S$300, you can imagine how many cups of coffee we have to sell to earn it back. So all these costs will go back to the consumer. This is a fact."
NEA will increase the number of hygiene inspectors, from 63 to 104.
Dr Yaacob added: "The additional manpower will enable us to carry out more frequent inspections which together with efforts by licensees and food handlers will help ensure good hygiene standards are observed at foodstalls and foodshops."
Since January, school canteens have been required to hire a Food Hygiene Officer.
And in future, all canteens, food courts and coffeeshops will also have to do the same. - CNA/vm
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