 The Veterinary Public Health Centre (VPHC), located at the Lim Chu Kang Agri-BioPark, is the cornerstone of AVA's integrated food safety programme. This Centre houses the AVA's food inspection services and laboratory testing services. Our multi-disciplinary team of skilled and dedicated professionals, scientists and experts continuously harnesses cutting-edge technology and sound science to deliver a one-stop service for food safety.
The specialised inspection and laboratory testing services at the VPHC provide vital support to our food safety monitoring and surveillance programmes. Our risk-based inspection programmes adhere to international standards, and our state-of-the art laboratories has the capability to detect a wide range of foodborne hazards.
Our team at the VPHC maintains vigilance against food safety challenges by constantly scanning the environment for new and emerging food safety threats. We keep abreast of changes and challenges by continuously updating our food inspection and surveillance programmes, and enhancing our food testing capabilities.
The AVA's Surveillance & Compliance Division (SCD) and Quarantine & Inspection Division (QID) conduct stringent food safety checks on food imports and food processing establishments to enforce food safety standards. A science-based food inspection programme is used to verify and ensure that food manufacturers, importers, distributors and producers meet AVA's food safety requirements. To ensure alignment with international standards and regulations, we regularly review and update our food inspection programme.
Our officers from the Surveillance & Compliance Division (SCD) and Quarantine & Inspection Division (QID) conduct:
- Checks on imported primary produce, livestock and processed food at the ports of entry;
- Checks on farms, abattoirs, poultry slaughterhouses, meat, fish and food processing establishments, and cold storage facilities;
- Checks on Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) programmes of food processing establishments;
- Monitoring and surveillance programmes;
- Risk assessment and epidemiology studies.
Foodborne hazards are invisible to the naked eye and detecting them is the domain of skilled professionals using sophisticated equipment. The VPHC houses AVA's Veterinary Public Health Laboratory (VPHL) which is staffed by highly competent scientists, and which is equipped with state-of-the-art testing equipment and facilities.
The VPHL's comprehensive range of analytical services covers tests for a wide spectrum of microbial and chemical contaminants, as well as drug and pesticide residues such as:
- Chemical contaminants and chemical food additives;
- Drug residues;
- Pesticide residues;
- Foodborne microbes;
- Foodborne parasites;
- Foodborne toxins;
- Food and feed nutritional components;
- Physical quality and food authenticity;
- Genetically modified organisms
We use testing protocols which are in line with internationally recognised procedures and standards. We provide services such as Laboratory Testing to support AVA's regulatory function, as well as to other government department and the private sector.
The VPHL strives to continuously sharpen its competencies in producing accurate testing results. We actively seek accreditation to international standards, and we have attained ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation under the Singapore Accreditation Council Singapore Laboratory Accreditation Scheme. Our laboratory participates actively in interlaboratory proficiency programmes as part of our rigorous quality assurance programme.
The VPHC facilitates trade through the provision of inspection, testing and export health certification services to the food industry for the export of meat, fish and dairy products. Our inspection, testing and certification services are recognised in more than 40 importing countries, including Australia, New Zealand, Japan and the European Union.
The success of VPHC lies in the competence, professional and dedication of the staff. We believe in developing and upgrading the competence of our staff through continuing education in their area of specialisation. Our training programmes aim to equip the Centre's multi-disciplinary team of experts and scientists with the confidence and ability to respond swiftly and effectively to emerging food safety threats, and to deliver quality service to our customers.
Veterinary Public Health Centre
Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority
10 Perahu Road
Singapore 718837
Veterinary Public Health Laboratory
Tel: (65) 67952822 / (65) 67952829
Fax: (65) 68619491
Surveillance & Compliance Division
Tel: (65) 67952830 / (65) 67952821
Fax: (65) 68619492
Operating hours:
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Mon - Thurs |
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8.30am - 12.30pm |
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1.30pm - 6.00pm |
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Fri |
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8.30am - 12.30pm |
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1.30pm - 5.30pm |
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Sat, Sun and Public Holidays |
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Closed |
For the location map, please click here.
For details on how to get to the Centre, please click here.
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