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Who is a Food Handler?
A Food Handler is any person who handles and prepares food and beverages in food establishments licensed by SFA.
Examples of Food Handlers include:
- chefs, sous chefs, and cooks
- kitchen assistants and food stall assistants
- bartenders and mixologists
- workers in food manufacturing companies
The primary duties of Food Handlers involve food manufacturing and preparation activities such as:
- culturing and canning
- deboning and cutting
- defrosting and cooking
- packing of food in raw or cooked form
Who is not a Food Handler?
Individuals not directly engaged in food manufacturing and preparation are not considered Food Handlers. These roles include:
- managers (e.g. restaurant managers, operations managers, food manufacturing factory managers and quality assurance/control managers)
- service staff (e.g. captains and waiters) and cashiers
- cleaners and dishwashers
- logistics and maintenance staff
- sommeliers primarily recommending wines without preparing drinks
- technologists (e.g. food technologist and quality assurance/control technologists)
Only trained Food Handlers are allowed to handle food. Licensees must not let anyone who is untrained (e.g. cashiers not qualified as Food Handlers) to assist with food manufacturing and preparation.
What requirements must Food Handlers meet?
Food Handlers from both retail and non-retail food businesses are required to pass the WSQ Food Safety Course (FSC) Level 1.
| Examples of Retail Food Businesses | Examples of Non-Retail Food Businesses |
|---|---|
|
|
Food Handlers must also attend retraining at certain key timelines to continue handling and preparing food, as detailed in the table below.
| Retraining | Compliance |
|---|---|
| 1st retraining | Within 5 years from the date of initially passing the WSQ FSC Level 1 |
| 2nd and subsequent retrainings | Within 10 years from the date of passing the previous retraining |
If a Food Handler obtained his FSC L1 certification on 1 August 2025, he must attend and pass his 1st retraining within 5 years by 31 July 2030. Thereafter, his 2nd and subsequent retrainings must be completed within 10 years from the date of passing the previous retraining.
What if the validity of my Food Handler’s WSQ FSC Level 1 certification has passed?
Food handlers are not allowed to handle or prepare food if they missed the timeline for retraining.
To continue engaging in food handling activities, they must attend and pass any of the available training options. After they have done so, the next retraining must be completed within 10 years from the date of passing.
What requirements must licensees meet?
SFA-licensed establishments are required to register their Food Handlers with SFA.
Licensees must do so before or when applying for a licence from SFA to operate their food business.
What are the benefits of training and registering Food Handlers?
Training your Food Handlers is not just about meeting regulatory requirements. It is also about ensuring Food Handlers understand why keeping food safe is important, and ensuring they have the skills to prepare safe food.
Well-trained Food Handlers significantly reduce the risk of food contamination, thereby lowering the incidence of foodborne illnesses and protecting your business reputation.
You can also upskill your Food Handlers by sending them for WSQ FSC Level 2 which enables them to:
- gain a deeper understanding and greater application of food safety principles
- equip themselves with the skills and know-how to conduct food safety checks for their specific work areas
How do I register my Food Handlers with SFA
Step 1: Ensure your Food Handlers are trained
Step 2: Ensure you can log into GoBusiness portal or Food Handlers Digital DataHub (FHD2H)
Step 3: Get your Food Handlers to update their photo
Step 4: Register Food Handlers by updating your licence
Can anyone become a Food Handler and register with SFA?
Anyone who wants to become a trained Food Handler can enrol for a WSQ FSC Level 1 course on their own. They do not need to be working in food service, or in licensed food establishments. There is no requirement for them to be sponsored or sent by a SFA-licensed employer.
Upon successful completion, they can log into FHD2H with their SingPass to register themselves with SFA.
For more information
You can contact us via the SFA Online Feedback Form.
Last Updated 27 Oct 2025
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