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Understanding the Food Safety Management System (FSMS)

The FSMS helps food businesses ensure the food they provide is safe for consumption. It is a pre-emptive approach for identifying, preventing, and reducing food-borne hazards. 

Contents in this page

Who must have a FSMS?

SFA currently requires catering businesses and those providing catering as an ancillary service to implement a FSMS.

What is a FSMS?

A FSMS equips businesses to take a pre-emptive approach towards identifying, preventing, and reducing food-borne hazards, to ensure food is safe for consumption.

The FSMS puts in place a holistic system of controls to identify, prevent and reduce hazards at every stage of the food handling and preparation stage, from receiving ingredients to serving customers.

The FSMS can be certified or non-certified. Food businesses are currently not required to submit a certified FSMS. 

What are the key features of a FSMS? 

A FSMS is a holistic system of controls based on Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) principles and Pre-Requisite Programmes to establish and maintain a hygienic environment for the processing and handling of food.

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    How do I implement a FSMS?

    You can learn how to prepare and implement a FSMS plan by attending the WSQ Food Safety Course (FSC) Level 4. 

    Any retail food business approved to conduct catering activities must have at least one employee who has passed WSQ FSC Level 4 and attained the Statement of Attainment.

    For details on the course content, training providers and eligibility for the course, see WSQ Food Safety Course (FSC) Level 4.

    How do I get my FSMS certified?

    To get your FSMS certified, you can approach the certification bodies accredited by the Singapore Accreditation Council (SAC). 

    You can use the Search Tool provided by SAC to find an accredited certification body.

    What are the differences between the certified and non-certified FSMS?

    Certified FSMSNon-Certified FSMS

    Certified by certification bodies that are accredited by any one of the following: 

    • Singapore Accreditation Council (SAC) for e.g. ISO 22000, SS 590 and/or SS444 certification

    • Accreditation bodies that are signatories of the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) multilateral recognition arrangement (MLA) for ISO 22000 and FSSC 22000

    • BRCGS-recognised accreditation bodies that are signatories of the IAF MLA

    In summary, FSMS certifications currently recognised are:

    • SS444:2018

    • SS590:2013

    • ISO 22000:2018

    • FSSC 22000

    • BRC Global Food Standards
    • Drawn up based on a company's or food business' in-house standards.

    • Based on non-certifiable standards such as SS583:2022.

    • Certified by certification bodies that are not accredited by accreditation bodies.

    What documents do I need to submit to SFA to show that I have implemented a FSMS?

     Certified FSMSNon-Certified FSMS
    FSMS Plan

    ✔ 

    Certified FSMS Plan

    ✔ 

    Non-Certified FSMS Plan developed or endorsed by personnel who have passed the WSQ Food Safety Course (FSC) Level 4*

    *Or the former WSQ Apply Food Safety Management System for Food Service Establishments Course

    Company Information / FSMS Team / Product Description
    Flow diagram with Critical Control Points (CCP) identified

    HACCP charts for CCPs:


    • identification of hazards at CCPs
    • control measures and critical limits
    • monitoring procedures and documentation
    • corrective actions to be taken

    Valid certified FSMS certificate.


    Certified FSMS certificates carry the logo of the accreditation body.

    Statement of Attainment (SOA) certificate for WSQ FSC Level 4*

    *Or WSQ Apply Food Safety Management System for Food Service Establishments Course

    When should I submit / update SFA on changes to the documents?

     CertifiedNon-Certified
    Existing licence applicants

    You should submit a full set of documents in any of the following cases:

     

    • your FSMS gets certified

    • there are changes to the workflow

    You should submit a full set of documents in any of the following cases:

     

    • when there are changes to workflow

    • when there are changes to the FSMS Plan
    New licence applicantsYou should submit your documents as part of your licence application process.

    How do I submit the documents?

    You can upload your FSMS documents when you apply for your Food Shop Licence via GoBusiness. 

    If your documents are not ready at the time of application or renewal, the Licensing Officer will guide you through the next steps.

     

    For more information
    You can contact us via the SFA Online Feedback Form.

    Last Updated 21 Oct 2024

    
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