Singapore's food safety standards continue to be world-class, according to a high-level panel of foreign experts who have completed a review of the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA).
They said AVA has done well in using a science-based method of sourcing for food from markets with health risks, instead of slapping a blanket ban on such markets.
Dr Gardner Murray, who chairs the international advisory committee of experts, explained the benefits of Singapore's approach on Friday.
He said: "When one talks about zero tolerance, it's effectively saying 'no' – you feel a country may not be able to safely send you food, that is zero tolerance. But, if you're reliant on food for imports, you've got to look further than that and increase your source of supply.
"The way to do this is to use a science basis for making decisions on imports. It doesn't mean your standards of food safety decrease. In fact, because you're being scientific, the food safety risk minimises."
For example, Singapore continues to buy pork from Brazilian farms that are billed safe, even though the hand, foot and mouth disease is widespread there.
The panel also praised AVA's efforts to keep out bird flu within the region by creating a control zone in Kepri, a nearby Indonesian province.
"If you want to manage risk, you need to think about the sources of introduction of disease and one source could be neighbouring countries. And if there's difference with respect to the efficiency or the veterinary service, it's actually quite useful rather than build up a fortress for Singapore where you have a big wall around you," said panel member, Professor Dirk Pfeiffer.
Still, Dr Murray said there are areas Singapore can strengthen.
He said: "A key initiative that we see as important is developing intelligence networks within the region and globally - on food safety, animal and plant health issues - so that all this data can be brought together to enable improved analysis of risk and this will enhance food safety and biosecurity in Singapore."
The experts also said AVA should beef up its staff competencies through training and enhance its strategies to deal with food-borne diseases.
- 938LIVE/CNA
source: http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/370822/1/.html
Why is food safety so important? If no, there would be a high rate of food poisoning cases, and even death! Foodborne pathogens can 'invade' our foods with a certain time frame and condition, and that all of us here might think that food poisoning is just a small issue, but certain pathogens can even cause fatality!
So....what are the foodborne pathogens?
Time to look at the Bad Bug Book!
http://www.fda.gov/food/foodsafety/foodborneillness/foodborneillnessfoodbornepathogensnaturaltoxins/badbugbook/default.htmCertainly, each and everyone of us would want to ensure food safety at home right?! The first step was done by the almighty AVA, now, the second step: safety is in our hands!
1) Practice good personal hygiene!
2) 5-60°C is known as the Temperature Danger Zone, which means, DO NOT KEEP YOUR FOOD WITHIN THIS TEMPERATURE RANGE, no longer than 4 Hours!
3) Do not share the same cutting/chopping board for raw and cooked foods - this is to prevent cross contamination
4) Do not freeze food again after thawing!
The guidelines stated above are the basic requirements! Quick, get going! Start ensuring food safety at your own home now! (;
Do you know that Singapore is actually one of the countries that has the lowest incidences of food-borne illness outbreaks?! & this is despite the fact that approximately 90% of our food are actually imported!
Gladys Lim0901188C
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