SAFETY ASSURANCE FOR FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS (SAFE) FRAMEWORK

What is Safety Assurance for Food Establishment (SAFE) Framework?

The 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 and higher award tiers if :

They have demonstrated a good track record of food safety assurance (i.e. no major food safety lapse over a period of time); and
They have in place capabilities and systems to ensure better food safety standards (e.g. appointment of Advanced Food Hygiene Officer, implementation of Food Safety Management System)

When do I get to know my award status?

SFA will notify licensees in early 2022 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 to 4.

Licensees can then upload their FSMS/Accredited FSMS-related documents, including the relevant certifications* of their staff in LicenceOne. Based on the documents received in the system as well as the track records, SFA will notify licensees on their final award status in late 2022, prior to the implementation of the SAFE in Jan 2023.

For details on each award tier, please refer to ‘Award Tiers and Licence Duration’ under SAFE framework at: www.sfa.gov.sg/SAFE-framework.

*For licensees looking to quality for Accredited FSMS. The certificate of the individual who has passed Food Safety Course Level 4 or WSQ Apply Food Safety Management System for Food Service Establishments or Lead Auditor Course (IRCA certified) must be uploaded.

What is the timeline for the industry to transit to the new 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 Tiers and Licence Duration

Under the SAFE framework, food establishments will be categorised based on food safety risk and the extent of food handling practices involved.

Table 1: SAFE framework: Category A and B food establishments

Table 2: SAFE framework: Category C food establishments and other licence types

Training courses for Food Handlers, Food Hygiene Officers and Advanced 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. As these food handlers level up and take on greater responsibilities in the kitchen, they can upskill by taking up

Level 2 of the FSC is for food handlers who level up and take on greater responsibilities in the kitchen, which will equip 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). The FHO may then upskill to become an Advanced FHO through Level 4 of the FSC, which 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.

Food handlers

WSQ Food Safety Course Level 1

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. Information for food handlers and on WSQ Food Safety Course Level 1 and the list of training providers that have been approved by SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) can be found on the SFA website at https://go.gov.sg/info-fh.

WSQ Food Safety Course Level 2

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. The list of training providers for WSQ Food Safety Course Level 2 will be updated soon.

Food Hygiene Officers

WSQ Food Safety Course Level 3

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 at https://www.sfa.gov.sg/informationforFHOs

Advanced Food Hygiene Officers

WSQ Food Safety Course Level 4

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 can be found on the SFA website at https://www.sfa.gov.sg/food-retail/food-safety-management-system/training-wsq-food-safety-course-level-4

For the above WSQ courses, subsidies are available from SSG. Please approach the training providers for more information on course schedule, course fees and subsidies.

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).

FAQs on SAFE Framework

Please refer to this FAQ link from SFA

Source Information: https://www.sfa.gov.sg/food-retail/SAFE-framework

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