Understanding the Safety Assurance for Food Establishments (SAFE) Framework

Category 1 Food Establishments
Restaurants & Catering Services	Food Caterers Restaurants with kitchen size 16m² or more In-house kitchens Restaurants with catering Canteens with catering
Food Manufacturing & Processing	Food Processing Establishments Slaughterhouses

Category 2 Food Establishments
Retail Food Shops	Bakeries Pubs, Bars, Nightclubs, Discos Cloud Kitchens Takeaway outlets Restaurants with kitchen size less than 16m²
Mobile Food Services	Food Vending Machines Mobile Food Wagons Food Carts (Take Away)
Food Stalls	Coffeeshops Eating houses Canteens Food courts Hawker stalls
Others	Cold Stores Food Processing Establishments (Cloud Kitchen Operators) Supermarkets

Phase 1 (implemented on 19 Jan 2026)

Phase 1 (implemented on 19 January 2026)

Existing food establishments have been assigned a starting grade under the SAFE framework based on their current food safety track records. New establishments with less than 1 year of operation will begin with a ’NEW’ grade.

The track record starts from the date that the licence was issued or the day after the date of the last major lapse (e.g. licence suspension under the Points Demerit System for retail food establishments or court conviction for food safety offences).

Fast-track* option is available for Category 1 food establishments to attain grade ‘A’ in shorter time. They must have a 1-year good food safety track record, appoint an Advanced Food Hygiene Officer (AFHO) and implement a certified FSMS. There is no fast-track option for Category 2 establishments.

SAFE grades will be updated based on food establishments’ food safety track records. For instance, if a food establishment commits a major lapse, it will be immediately downgraded to grade ‘C’, regardless of the present grade.

*Not applicable for food establishments with grade ‘C’ track record (i.e., committed major lapse)

Grade	Category 1 Food Establishment	Category 2 Food Establishment
A	Good track record (i.e. no major lapse) for more than three years
A	Fast-track to grade 'A' if establishment has: One-year good track record Appointed AFHO Implemented certified FSMS	No fast-track option
B	Good track record (i.e. no major lapse) of between one to three years
New	In operation for less than one year
C	Committed major lapse (e.g. court conviction or suspension of licence under the Points Demerit System) regardless of present grade

Phase 2

Phase 2 (implementation details to be announced by 2027)

Grades will continue to be determined by the food establishment’s food safety track records. In addition, Category 1 food establishments who wish to maintain or attain grade ‘A’, would need to meet additional requirements as shown in the table below.

Grade	Category 1 Food Establishment	Category 2 Food Establishment
A	Good track record (i.e. no major lapse) for more than three years Additional Requirements from Phase 2: Appointed AFHO Implemented certified or non-certified FSMS	Good track record (i.e. no major lapse) for more than three years
A	Can fast-track to grade 'A' if establishment has: One-year good track record Appointed AFHO Implemented certified FSMS	No fast-track option
B	Good track record (i.e. no major lapse) for between one to three years
New	In operation for less than one year
C	Committed major lapse (e.g. court conviction or suspension of licence under the Points Demerit System) regardless of present grade

Understanding the Safety Assurance for Food Establishments (SAFE) Framework

Overview

What is the SAFE framework?

Singapore Food Agency

What is the purpose of the SAFE framework?

What types of food establishments does the SAFE framework apply to?

Category 1 Food Establishments

Category 2 Food Establishments

How are the grades determined under the SAFE framework?

Phase 1 (implemented on 19 Jan 2026)

Phase 1 (implemented on 19 January 2026)

Phase 2

Phase 2 (implementation details to be announced by 2027)

FAQs

Why are new entrants graded as ’NEW’ instead of grade ‘B’?

Is there any change to the Points Demerit System (PDS)?

Will my grade be affected if there is a change in licensee or management?

What should I do with the old grade decals from the previous grading system?

Last Updated 28 July 2026

What is the role of an Advanced Food Hygiene Officer?

What does the Food Safety Management System (FSMS) cover?

What is the difference between a non-certified and a certified FSMS? Is certified FSMS required under the SAFE framework?