Phrases used by parrots: "...shared responsibility..."

[LITTLEREDDOT]

SFA is the early contender for Parrot of the Year Award 2025:

"SFA said it will continue to monitor the situation closely and reminded: "Food safety is a joint responsibility."

"While SFA puts in place and enforces the regulatory measures, food operators must play their part by adhering to good food hygiene and preparation practices. Food operators should also ensure their premises are clean and well-maintained."

SFA said it takes a serious view towards food safety and will investigate all feedback alleging poor food safety practices. As part of the enquiry and gathering of evidence, SFA may engage the feedback provider for more details and will not hesitate to take enforcement action if sufficient evidence has been obtained."


Jan 31, 2025

Diner rats out infestation at Beauty World Food Centre after rodent poops near him during dinner​

Cherlynn Ng
Submitted by Stomper
Khoo, Milton
He was having dinner at Beauty World Food Centre when he spotted a rat defecating near him.

Stomper Milton was so disgusted by the incident on Jan 14 that he reported it to the authorities.

Raising concerns about a "massive, uncontrolled rodent infestation," Milton said: "I spotted a rat defecating into one of the stalls on a pipeline of the food centre when I was having my dinner there. Another rather large one was stuck above the false ceiling of the Pink Candy Korean Restaurant stall.


"I instantly felt disgusted and sickened, and wondered if any of those droppings had entered food that was being prepared at the various stalls below.

"I also noticed that hordes of rats would crawl to and from the metal pipes, wire cables casings and into a garden located on level 5.


"This is the worst hawker centre of our country, in terms of hygiene standards. It resembles more like a hawker in neighbouring Johor Bahru than in Singapore!"

In response to a Stomp query, the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) said it conducted a joint inspection at the hawker centre with the National Environment Agency (NEA).

SFA told Stomp on Jan 31: "Preliminary investigation found signs of rat harbourage at the ceiling and the common area of Beauty World Food Centre.

"NEA will take enforcement action upon confirmation of rat infestation detected, and the building management and managing agent of the food centre have been advised to enhance their pest control measures based on the findings.

"Stallholders have been reminded to ensure food is kept in rat-proof containers, properly bag their refuse before disposal and to keep their stalls clean of food scraps so as to prevent easy access to food by the rats."

Stomper Khoo shared a letter that the building's management sent to stall operators about the infestation and "extensive rodent droppings throughout the premises."

The Jan 23 letter requested stall operators to remove their items from common spaces to prevent further rodent activity, as well as "eliminate potential food sources and breeding grounds".

SFA said it will continue to monitor the situation closely and reminded: "Food safety is a joint responsibility.

"While SFA puts in place and enforces the regulatory measures, food operators must play their part by adhering to good food hygiene and preparation practices. Food operators should also ensure their premises are clean and well-maintained."

Members of the public who have concerns about food safety practices by food operators should report to SFA via its online feedback form.

SFA said it takes a serious view towards food safety and will investigate all feedback alleging poor food safety practices. As part of the enquiry and gathering of evidence, SFA may engage the feedback provider for more details and will not hesitate to take enforcement action if sufficient evidence has been obtained.

This is not the first time Beauty World Food Centre has sparked hygiene concerns. Milton noted that there have been at least two incidents reported in the news.

One case involved cockroaches being seen running rampant at a fruit juice stall at the hawker centre in April 2023, with its owner crying sabotage.

The second case was in May 2023, when SFA took enforcement action against Indian food stall DHABA 1376 for food safety lapses following another Stomper's feedback.

In 2023, Stomp also received five separate complaints against a Korean food stall at the hawker centre regarding safety hazards and cleanliness.

 

[True Believer]

New York has 8 million residents producing enough food waste to feed 5 x the number of rats as people.
S'pore has 6 million people in a land area smaller than New York. Our rat population is growing fast.

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

"Building safety is a shared responsibility, requiring vigilant oversight from multiple stakeholders, including building owners, management corporation strata title, managing agents (MAs), professional engineers (PEs) and individual unit owners, each playing a distinct role."

Forum: Qualified engineers’ professional assessments form backbone of building safety framework​

Mar 24, 2025

We thank Mr Dennis Tan for his letter “Train managing agents in building inspections to flag defects which may endanger people” (March 17).

Building safety is a shared responsibility, requiring vigilant oversight from multiple stakeholders, including building owners, management corporation strata title, managing agents (MAs), professional engineers (PEs) and individual unit owners, each playing a distinct role.

As Mr Tan highlighted, existing buildings undergo two types of inspections: the periodic structural inspection for structural elements, and the periodic facade inspection for facades, both conducted by qualified engineers. These professional assessments form the backbone of our building safety framework.


Between these inspections, MAs can help by flagging visible signs of building deterioration during their routine maintenance checks.

If concerns arise, they should promptly inform building owners, who can then engage a PE for technical evaluations and necessary repairs. Accredited MAs under the current MA accreditation recognition framework receive training to identify common defects during maintenance.

We appreciate the efforts of all industry partners, including MAs, in maintaining buildings and reporting visible issues promptly. BCA remains committed to working with industry partners and stakeholders to ensure a safe, liveable and sustainable built environment.

Regarding the Inspace building incident mentioned in Mr Tan’s letter, BCA is investigating the matter and will take appropriate action.

Clement Tseng
Group Director, Building Plan and Management
Building and Construction Authority

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

Safeguarding our society from the scourge of drugs is a collective responsibility.

Forum: Safeguarding society from drug scourge a collective responsibility​

Jul 25, 2025

The National Council Against Drug Abuse (NCADA) applauds the move to classify etomidate as a Class C controlled drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act (MDA) as an interim measure, pending the Ministry of Health’s development of more appropriate legislation.

This is needed for the Government to be able to act quickly and more decisively to protect our people, especially our youth, who are most vulnerable.

The recent rise in the abuse of drug-laced vapes and products such as “Kpods” is troubling. These products may appear harmless but contain harmful substances such as synthetic cannabinoids, cocaine, and pharmaceutical drugs like etomidate, which are not intended for recreational use. These substances can endanger health, including causing muscle spasms, changes to breathing patterns and blood pressure, seizures and psychosis, as well as addiction and even physical dependence.

We are most concerned that these products are often deliberately designed to appeal to youth. They are attractively packaged, infused with fruity flavours, and marketed through social media and peer networks.

Let us be clear: There is no such thing as a “safe high” when it comes to these substances. Etomidate may have legitimate medical uses under strict supervision, but outside of that context, its misuse poses serious risks.

In addition to this interim legislative step, more needs to be done. We need to increase public awareness and ramp up preventive education. The council also recognises the importance of continued collaboration among all stakeholders, including enforcement agencies, educators, parents and youth themselves.

Safeguarding our society from the scourge of drugs is a collective responsibility. NCADA will fully support the Government’s public education efforts in this area.

We call on parents, educators, community leaders and our youth to engage in conversations, and to stay informed, about the changing nature of drug abuse. Prevention is not only about policies and laws. It is also about building a strong social shield through awareness, education and care.

Together, let us remain steadfast in our commitment to a drug-free Singapore.


Dr Jimmy Lee
Exco Member, National Council Against Drug Abuse (NCADA)

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

"Cyber security is a shared responsibility."

Forum: MOH supports healthcare providers in safeguarding patient databases​

Jul 28, 2025

We refer to Dr Yik Keng Yeong’s letter “Doctors may need help preventing cyber attacks on patient databases ” (July 22).

Cyber security is a shared responsibility.

Government systems such as the National Electronic Health Record (NEHR) are designed with robust cyber and data security measures in place to protect Singaporeans’ health information. These include technical safeguards such as firewalls, security tools to detect and mitigate attacks, and ongoing monitoring and investigation of suspicious activities.


In turn, systems connected to the NEHR are also required to have appropriate security measures in place. We understand the concern that GPs may have, and have ensured that white-listed clinic management systems meet the requisite cyber-security standards.

Healthcare providers play an important role in ensuring that they have robust arrangements in place as to how their clinic management systems or electronic medical record systems are managed and used. They should put in place good practices, such as using strong passwords and two-factor authentication, be vigilant against phishing attempts, use anti-malware and anti-virus solutions, and keep computers/systems updated with security patches.

The Ministry of Health supports healthcare providers through funding, and training and educational materials on cyber and data security practices. There are also the Cyber and Data Security Guidelines and Guidebook which help healthcare providers understand and meet the essential security requirements.

The Ministry of Health is also exploring ways to work with cyber and data security providers to support healthcare providers in strengthening their security posture.

We strongly encourage all healthcare providers to familiarise themselves with essential cyber and data security practices.

Raymond Chua (Adjunct Professor)
Deputy Director-General of Health (Health Regulation)
Ministry of Health

 

[Geneco]

Safe and effective lololololol