Advisory on Wearing of Masks or Spit Guards by Food Handlers
With the easing of Covid-19 mask-wearing regulations announced on 24 Aug 2022, mask wearing requirement have been removed for indoor settings, except in selected healthcare and public transport settings, with effect from 29 Aug 2022.
Existing sector requirements on mask wearing continue to apply. Since Apr 2020, Singapore Food Agency
(SFA) has made it a requirement for all food handlers to wear masks or other forms of physical barrier.
Thus, all food handlers will still be required to wear over his nose and mouth a mask or spit guard** that is capable of preventing any substance expelled from his mouth or nose from contaminating food.
This applies to all personnel engaged in the sale and preparation of food and drinks at all retail food establishments, including hawker centres, coffee shops, restaurants, supermarkets, trade fairs, as well as non-retail food establishments, including food processing establishments and slaughterhouses.
Food safety is a joint responsibility. The food industry is reminded to comply with licensing conditions by continuing to wear masks or spit guards for adequate protection to prevent contamination of food.
SFA will not hesitate to take firm action against anyone who does not comply with the mask or spit guard-wearing requirement.
More information on the Wearing of Mask or Spit Guards by Food Handlers is available at www.sfa.gov.sg/maskorspitguardrequirements .
**Face shields are not approved for use. This is because face shields are not considered as being effective physical barriers as it has a large gap at the bottom of the shield which can still cause food contamination as opposed to masks and spit guards which have a bottom-up shield that covers the mouth and nose.
Issued by SFA
24 Aug 2022