Food Safety Course (Level 1)

This course is a mandatory prerequisite for all food handlers. The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) requires the attainment of a valid Workforce Skills Qualification (WSQ) Food Safety Course Level 1.

Who must attain WSQ FSC Level 1 certification? (Source: Singapore Food Agency)

As of 1 July 2023, all Food Handlers, whether working in retail or non-retail food establishments licensed by SFA, must attain WSQ FSC Level 1. Training and certification are provided by approved training providers.

Retail food establishments include hawker stalls, food stalls at canteens, and restaurants. Non-retail food establishments include food manufacturers and food processing plants.

A Food Handler is defined as any person who handles and prepares food and beverages within food establishments licensed by SFA. To learn more about Food Handlers, see Requirements for Food Handlers.

SFA, together with SSG, has harmonised the training curriculum and assessment for both retail and non-retail food businesses, in aligning them with the refreshed SSG Skills Framework (SFw) for Food Services.

Is it a one-time certification?

Food Handlers who have attained WSQ FSC Level 1 certification are permitted to engage in food handling activities for up to 5 years.

Since October 2014, Food Handlers are required to attend refresher training to continue handling and preparing food at the 5-year mark and the 10-year mark as shown in the table below.

Learning Outcomes

• Learning Unit 1: Practise good personal hygiene
• Learning Unit 2: Use safe ingredients
• Learning Unit 3: Handle food safely
• Learning Unit 4: Store food safely
• Learning Unit 5: Maintain cleanliness of equipment and premises

Minimum Entry Requirements

• Participants should possess basic literacy in English or Mandarin to understand the lessons and participate in group discussions.
• This course is available in English and Mandarin.

Mode of Assessment

• Written Exam
• Practical Exam
• Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQ)