Guidelines on Good Practices in the Housing, Handling and Slaughtering of Frogs
As at 15 November 2021
The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) and Animal Veterinary Services (AVS) of the National Parks Board (NParks) have developed a set of guidelines on good practices for housing, handling and slaughtering of frogs in cooked food premises. The objectives of the guidelines are to ensure food safety, animal health and welfare standards are maintained. For more information, please refer to the attached guidelines.
Guide Dogs Accompanying Blind or Visually Impaired Persons are Permitted in Food Retail Establishments
As at 30 June 2023
1. Are guide dogs allowed into food retail establishments?
Yes, guide dogs are allowed into food retail establishments. Under Regulation 29(3) of Environmental Public Health (Food Hygiene) Regulations, a food establishment may permit any guide dog accompanying a blind or visually impaired person to be brought into the dining or refreshment area, or any toilet of the licensed premises. The guide dog has to be (i) kept under proper control, (ii) restrained from straying or causing annoyance or nuisance or damage any property; and (iii) held in a leash. They should also not be fed in the food establishment. Diners are advised to avoid distracting or petting guide dogs at work.
2. What are guide dogs and how can they be identified?
Guide dogs are specially selected and trained dogs that have been trained as mobility guides, to help the blind or visually impaired persons travel independently and safely. Guide dogs are not pets.
Guide dogs can be identified by their harness sleeve, which may carry messages like “Guide Dog at Work” and “Do Not Distract”. The guide dog user may also carry a “Guide Dog Team Identification Card”.
3. Would food safety be compromised with guide dogs in food retail establishments?
Guide dogs are specially trained and there are measures in place to minimise food safety risk within food retail establishments:
- Operators of food retail establishments should only allow guide dogs in the dining/refreshment/toilet areas
- Guide dogs are required to be leashed, restrained and kept under proper control
- Guide dogs should not be fed within the premises
4. Are pets allowed into food retail establishments?
Under Regulation 29(1) of Environmental Public Health (Food Hygiene) Regulations, live animals such as pets are not permitted into food establishments, with the exception of pet cafés. Pet cafés are food shops where patrons may bring their pets along when they dine in these food shops. A pet café licence is required for such food establishments.
For more information, please refer to the attached circular, as well as the factsheet by Guide Dogs Singapore.
Food retail establishments are reminded to maintain high standards of hygiene at all times, in line with SFA’s food hygiene practices and guidelines to ensure that the food served is safe for consumption.