Food Safety Public Education Programme

AVA is the national food safety authority and has put in place an integrated food safety system to ensure that food sold in Singapore is safe for consumption.  The assurance of food safety is a shared responsibility which requires efforts by governments, food industries and consumers.  Through public education, we hope to equip others with the knowledge of food safety risks and safe food practices so that they can play a part in protecting your own well-being and the well-being of their family.   Launched in 2006, our food safety talks aim to educate students and adults alike on how simple practices can go a long way in preventing food contamination and food poisoning.

Synopsis Of Food Safety Talks

Topic 1:  Food Safety as a Shared Responsibility

Everyone eats and handles food at some point or another – producers, manufacturers, distributors, food handlers and consumers. As such, the assurance of food safety is a shared responsibility that requires the combined efforts of the government, food industry and you.  This topic focuses on the importance of food safety and looks at the role that each of us has to play to ensure that the food we eat is safe. It will also provide useful information and tips such as the 5 Keys to Food Safety to students that they can learn and put into practice.

Topic 2:  Wash & Keep Clean

One of the main causes of food poisoning is improper handling of food by consumers at home. Safe food handling is crucial to protect the health and well being of consumers. By observing simple practices such as washing and keeping clean, we can prevent our food from becoming contaminated.  This topic provides students with some simple tips on keeping their food, kitchen and hands clean, that they can practice at home and when they are eating out.

Topic 3:  Cook Your Food Well

Cooking our food well is just as important as buying, handling and storing it properly.  Bacteria can be found on raw or undercooked food and cooking our food thoroughly helps to safeguard against food poisoning caused by these harmful bacteria as they can be killed at high temperature.  This topic provides students with basic tips on cooking their food thoroughly, the usage of food thermometers and what to look out for at barbeques, that they can practice at home and share with their friends and family members.

Topic 4:  Select Food Carefully

Food safety begins when we do our shopping.  Exercising care in food selection can reduce the risk of food poisoning.  This topic provides students with tips on how to plan their shopping and how to select foods such as eggs, meat and seafood as well as packaged foods. 

How to book

To book a talk, please fax the completed application form to 6223 5383, or email Ms Phyllis Hui with the completed form at: phyllis_hui@ava.gov.sg
 
All our talks come complete with:
→Free attractively designed Food Safety pamphlets
→Goodie bags, which will be given out during the quiz session
→Poster Exhibition, which will be put up for the day of the talk
→Roving of our Food Safety Mascot during recess to meet and greet the students
 
Schools are advised to provide a room for our mascot to rest and change for the day. 
 
Optional:  Schools are encouraged to conduct food safety quizzes in the classroom).  AVA can also provide a free Food Safety Bus and a food handling demo at the canteen during recess (see item 7 and 8 of the application form).