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SINGAPORE: The National Environment Agency (NEA) grades food establishments in Singapore A, B, C and D according to their hygiene levels.
A is for excellent, B means good, C is average and D means below average.
NEA says that the grading system helps not just the agency, but vendors as well.
Head of Operations, Environmental Health Department, NEA, Tai Ji Choong, said: "It provides a starting point for them (the vendors) to improve themselves. So from there we are able to work with the operator to improve his hygiene level."
The grading is based on a score derived using an assessment checklist.
Criteria for assessment include cleanliness and housekeeping, food hygiene, personal hygiene and other factors like food transportation.
NEA also has a demerit point system as an added measure.
In spite of the recent food poisoning cases, NEA says food stall ratings have in fact improved significantly over the past seven years.
Mr Tai said: "In 2002, (food outlets graded A or B) was about 58% (of those assessed). Last year, (the number) increased to 85 per cent. So I say this is a significant increase in the overall hygiene standards in Singapore."
NEA says these figures refer to food shops like bakeries and supermarkets, and food stalls in coffeeshops and food courts only.
Over in Geylang Serai, where the latest food poisoning outbreak took place, business has been severely affected.
And it is not just the hawker food stalls that are suffering. Even those selling other goods, such as clothes and household items, say they have seen their revenue fall by up to 70 per cent due to the smaller crowds patronising the hawker centre.
Some have been forced to lower their prices to attract customers, but the vendors are still worried that even this will not be enough to bring business back to normal.
- CNA/yt
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