Information for Food Hygiene Officer

Requirement on Food Hygiene Officer

A Food Hygiene Officer (FHO) oversees and implements effective food hygiene systems which will ensure that food is prepared in a safe and hygienic manner. Having a senior staff trained as a FHO who exercises constant vigilance and supervision will enforce a high standard of food and personal hygiene in your establishment.

NEA introduced the FHO scheme to help food establishments maintain a high standard of food hygiene in Dec 2000. The objectives of the FHO scheme include:

Training supervisors/managers of food establishments to implement and maintain good hygiene practices;
Assisting operators to conduct in-house supervision and correct irregularities detected; and
Promoting professionalism in food retail industry.

Since then, licensees of the following categories of food establishments have been required to appoint a senior staff (e.g. chief chef, sous chef, restaurant manager, operations manager or supervisor) to be trained as a FHO:

Restaurant
- Housed in 2 or more adjacent units in Private & HDB shophouses; or
- With kitchen area exceeding 16m²
Caterer
Canteen
Food Court

The FHOs will help owners/licensees to oversee and enhance the standard of hygiene and sanitation in their premises. In between NEA’s inspections, they play the role of food safety auditor to rectify hygiene irregularities. The duties of a FHO include:

Implement systems and conduct checks to ensure food handlers practise good food and personal hygiene during food preparation;
Educate and/or remind food handlers to practise good practices; and
Identify lapses and take prompt corrective actions

The FHO may use a checklist for assistance during checks. FHOs can tailor this sample checklist to meet the requirements of their respective operations.

To qualify as a FHO, the appointed staff will need to attend the WSQ Conduct Food & Beverage Hygiene Audit course and pass the examination at the end of the course. Once they have passed the examination, the participant is awarded a Statement of Attainment (SOA).

NEA allows participants who have successfully passed the course to register as a certified FHO. A certified FHO will not need to attend the WSQ Basic Food Hygiene Course (BFHC) if the FHO decides to work as a food handler. However, the FHO will need to attend the BFHC (Refresher) by the 5th year from the Conduct Food & Beverage Hygiene Audit course passed date, followed by the second and subsequent BFHC (Refresher) every 10th year from last BFHC (Refresher) course passed date, if the FHO continues to work as a food handler.

Information on WSQ Conduct Food & Beverage Hygiene Audit

SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG), formerly known as Workforce Development Agency (WDA), launched the Food & Beverage Workforce Skills Qualification (WSQ) system in 2007 as the national qualifications standard for the Food & Beverage industry. With effect from 1 August 2010, NEA has aligned the FHO course to the Food & Beverage WSQ standards in line with the government’s effort to upgrade the skills of workers. To qualify as a FHO, the appointed staff will have to undergo the WSQ Conduct Food & Beverage Hygiene Audit course.

The WSQ Conduct Food & Beverage Hygiene Audit course is a competency-based course which aims to raise the hygiene audit skills of FHOs. The course is a 3.5 day programme inclusive of assessment. FHOs trained under the WSQ framework will gain knowledge and practical skills in conducting audits on cleanliness, personal hygiene and food hygiene in food establishments. Registration and other details can be obtained below:

NOTES

Please take note that one FHO has to be tagged to one premise only. If the owner owns more than one restaurant, each restaurant will need a different FHO.

Asian Culinary Institute (ACI)
11 Eunos Road 8, Lifelong Learning Institute #03-01 (Lift Lobby A), Singapore 408601
Contact: 6417 3318
Email: info@aci.edu.sg

At-Sunrice GlobalChef Academy
28 Tai Seng Street Level 5 Singapore 534106
Contact: 6416 6688

Institute of Technical Education (ITE)
Industry Training Programme Department
2 Ang Mo Kio Drive Singapore 567720
Contact: 1800-CALL ITE (1800-225 5483)
Email: itp@ite.edu.sg

FHOs trained previously under the FHO course conducted by Singapore Environment Institute (SEI) will continue to be recognised by NEA.