As consumers, we all expect our food to be safe. However, food can potentially become contaminated through improper practices from the time it is produced to the time it is consumed. The assurance of food safety requires the combined effort of the government, the food industry and the consumer.
The number of food-borne disease outbreaks has been increasing around the world. Annually, about 1.5 billion cases of food-borne disease outbreaks are reported, resulting in 3 million deaths globally.
Singapore enjoys one of the lowest incidences of food-borne disease outbreaks compared to the rest of the world. This is despite the fact that more than 90% of all food consumed here is imported.
How did we manage to escape many of the food-borne disease outbreaks that plague other countries?
Very simply, Singapore observes stringent food safety standards. As the national authority for food safety in Singapore, SFA has put in place an effective integrated food safety system to ensure that food is safe for consumption.
However, no system is foolproof without the collaboration of the industry and consumers in Singapore. We handle and consume food in one way or another. As such, the assurance of food safety is a shared responsibility.
Through public education, SFA hopes to raise awareness about the importance of food safety. Now, by learning some tips on food safety, you too can play a part in ensuring your food is safe to eat.
Together, let's keep food safe!