Food handlers not required to wear masks or spit guards from Jan |

From Jan 1, food handlers will no longer need to wear masks or spit guards, the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) said.

- Daniel Lai

The original requirement was put in place from April 2020, during the Covid-19 pandemic, to prevent any substance expelled from the mouth or nose from contaminating food.

The rule applies to all personnel engaged in the sale and preparation of food and drinks at all food establishments.

But in a statement on Dec 4, SFA said food contamination is mainly due to inadequate sanitation, poor handling and temperature management, and contact between raw and ready-to-eat (RTE) foods.

The agency added that it has assessed that there is a low risk to food safety when handlers do not wear such gear.

Nevertheless, it said food establishments should continue adopting good food safety practices. These include proper food handling, time and temperature control, thorough cleaning and good housekeeping practices.

There were several high-profile food poisoning cases in Singapore in 2025.