Singapore’s SAFE framework to replace food safety grades for restaurants

The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) is set to implement the Safety Assurance for Food Establishment (SAFE) framework to improve food safety.

The new framework will replace the current grading approach, where food establishments are assigned ‘A’, ‘B’, ‘C’, or ‘D’ based on annual assessments.

An estimated 45,000 retail and non-retail SFA-licensed food establishments will be covered. Establishments will be classified as either Category 1 or Category 2 depending on the level of food processing or preparation involved.

Under SAFE, establishments will be graded ‘A’, ‘B’ or ‘C’. These grades will be awarded based on food safety track records and the use of food safety management measures, including the appointment of a competent person such as an advanced food hygiene officer (AFHO).

Restaurants with consistently good track records will receive higher grades, while those with poorer track records will receive lower grades and will face more frequent inspections.

Establishments operating for less than a year will be given a “New” grade to distinguish them from operators with established track records.

Category 1 establishments, which have higher-risk food operations, need to meet two additional food safety requirements due to their larger scale of food processing or preparation to achieve and maintain an ‘A’ grade.

To allow time for Category 1 establishments to put these additional requirements in place, SAFE will be introduced in two phases.

Phase I begins on 19 January 2026, when all establishments will be graded based on track records, and an ‘A’ grade will require more than three years of good track record with no major lapses.

From Phase II, Category 1 establishments will also need to appoint an AFHO and implement a food safety management system (FSMS) to attain or keep an ‘A’ grade.

SFA Food Administration director-general and food safety deputy CEO Dr Tan Lee Kim said: “The SAFE framework offers a more effective way to assess food safety performance.

“By recognising food establishments which consistently maintain high standards, we strengthen food safety across the industry while empowering consumers to make informed choices.

“This is the outcome of extensive engagement with industry stakeholders, and SFA will work with food establishments through this transition.”

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