Food Safety Course (Level 1) (Refresher)

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. This refresher certification is valid for 10 years.

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.

Are previously attained food safety certifications recognised?

• Certifications under the F&B WSQ system

The following food safety certifications are recognised:

1. WSQ FSC Level 1 (previously known as the WSQ Follow Food & Beverage Safety and Hygiene Policies and Procedures / Basic Food Hygiene Course)

• Institute of Technical Education (ITE) refresher certifications

SFA continues to recognise the Refresher Food Hygiene Course certificate awarded by the Institute of Technical Education (ITE), issued between October 2010 and June 2014.

Food Handlers holding the ITE Refresher Food Hygiene Course certificate are required to attend subsequent refresher training 10 years from the date that the ITE certificate was awarded.

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)