Food safety is a joint responsibility as food can be contaminated anywhere along the food chain. The licensees of the non-retail food establishments must ensure the safety of their food and food products.
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© 2026 Singapore Food Agency
Last Updated 04 Jul 2026
Food establishment licensees are required to:
1. Licensees must ensure the safety of food products manufactured in the establishments.
For example, licensees must practise safe handling and storage, prevent cross-contamination between raw material and final product, and store food at required temperatures.
Licensees must also ensure their food handlers observe good personal hygiene practices (e.g. wash hands thoroughly and wear clean attire).
2. Licensees are required to have a good understanding of the specifications of food processing equipment used at their premises and ensure it is properly used.
For example, they must ensure the equipment is:
Lapses in food safety can result in food borne disease outbreaks, product recalls and harm consumers. These can cause both financial and reputational damage to food establishments. SFA will also take the necessary enforcement actions against food safety lapses.
SFA will take the necessary enforcement action against food safety lapses, which could involve warnings, suspension, and/or revocation of licences. Licensees will also be required to rectify the lapses before they are allowed to resume operations.
All licensees must:
You can register or update your food handlers via the GoBusiness portal. For detailed steps, refer to Registration of Food Handlers.
Licensees are responsible for keeping their licences updated. You must update SFA when there are changes to the particulars of your business operations (e.g. address or contact details).
For detailed steps on how to update SFA, see Update, Renew, Cancel Licence / Registration for Food Manufacturing & Storage.
You must apply for a new licence if you change your UEN, business entity type or location of the licensed premises. For detailed steps on how to apply, see Application Process & Fees for Licence / Registration for Food Manufacturing & Storage.
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SFA’s approval must be obtained before they make any changes to their trade activities.
For example, SFA’s approval must be obtained when licensees want to add a new trade, remove an existing trade, or add new products that are not covered under existing approved trade activities.
SFA’s approval is required as changes to the layout of the premises or trade activities may impact existing process flows and result in food safety issues.
Enforcement actions may be taken against licensees for unapproved changes to the layout of their premises or trade activities.
Food manufacturers can only export their food and food products until their trade description and layout have been approved by SFA.Contents in this page
Licensees must seek SFA’s approval before using reefer containers to temporarily store food and food products.
To ensure food safety, SFA requires licensees to maintain proper temperature controls, prevent cross-contamination, and ensure that the conditions inside the containers are suitable to preserve the integrity of the stored food products.
Enforcement action may be taken against licensees. Food manufacturers will not be able to export their food and food products until their trade description and layout have been approved.
To obtain approval for chilled/frozen storage of sealed food ingredients or finished products in reefer containers, follow the steps below:
Step 1: Gather the required documents
Step 2: Submit the documents required
Step 3: Pass an on-site assessment
Step 4: Receive SFA's approval
Licensed operators of pig and poultry slaughterhouses must ensure food safety and take on additional responsibilities to provide key statistics to SFA.
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Under the prevailing food safety laws, all licensed pig and poultry slaughterhouses must:
These statistics provide SFA with information on the number of live animals admitted to the slaughterhouses, their source(s), and the number of animals slaughtered in the respective slaughterhouses. The data enables SFA to better manage the incidents to ensure and secure a supply of safe food, in the event of animal disease outbreaks or supply shocks.
For more information
You can contact us via the SFA Online Feedback Form.
Step 1: Prepare documents
Step 2: Ensure you have CorpPass
Step 3: Submit your application
Step 4: SFA reviews your application
Step 5: Renovate your establishment
Step 6: Pass the site inspection
Step 7: Receive approval
