In Singapore, we don’t usually think twice about our food.
Most of the time, we assume that our food is safe since they have already undergone the Singapore Food Agency’s (SFA) stringent checking process to end up in supermarkets.
Of course, there are some instances where the SFA directs importers to pull food off the shelves.
On 21 February, the SFA announced that it had recalled a ready-to-eat meat product due to concerns that it may carry salmonella.
This move comes after two products were recalled last week.
SFA Recalls Read-to-eat Deli Meat Product
According to SFA, the recall is ongoing.
The product is Busseto’s Antipasto Classico (340g), a ready-to-eat deli meat product made in the United States with an expiry date of 30 April 2024.
The SFA has directed Cold Storage (Singapore), the importer of the product, to pull it from the shelves.
The agency has advised those who have purchased the product to refrain from eating it.
Those who have already eaten it and have health concerns should seek medical advice.
For more information, consumers can return to where they bought the product.
Two Other Products Recalled Due to Salmonella Concerns
On 16 February, the SFA recalled two cured meats due to salmonella concerns.
The products are Beretta Antipasto (6 oz) and Beretta Coppa (4 oz), with respective expiry dates of 29 April 2024 and 2 April 2024.
Like Buesseto’s Antipasto Classico, they’re also made in the United States.
SFA decided to recall the products after the US Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) recalled the products on 12 February.
What is Salmonella?
Salmonella isn’t a fish, even though its name sounds delicious for salmon lovers.
Salmonella is a type of pathogenic bacteria that can contaminate food.
According to SFA’s website, it can cause a long list of symptoms if someone eats contaminated food.
Salmonella can cause diarrhoea, abdominal pain, mild fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, and more.
The symptoms typically last for a few days.
However, people can sometimes be asymptomatic as well.
Salmonella is usually associated with meat, poultry, and eggs.
How to Prevent Food Poisoning
Though the SFA conducts comprehensive checks to ensure food safety, consumers must also play their part.
Consumers are recommended to wash fruits and vegetables well to reduce the risk of food poisoning from bacteria like salmonella.
Furthermore, consumers should also refrain from consuming raw or barely cooked eggs and meat.
Food should also be adequately refrigerated before cooking it and after serving it.
Basically, don’t be lazy when it comes to food preparation.
In Singapore, around 90% of food comes from overseas sources.
Thus, food safety is crucial in ensuring our food security.
On 27 October 2023, Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu announced the Food Safety and Security Bill.
The Bill will bring together food-related provisions that span eight existing Acts into a singular act.
The announcement was made at the opening of the SFA’s relocated National Centre for Food Science (NCFS) in Jurong East.
SFA noted that the new building would help streamline operations and improve accessibility for food safety inspectors.
Ms Fu did not mention when the Bill would be tabled.
However, it was first mentioned in Parliament in March 2021.