From Strait Times
IT IS shape up or ship out for food outlets which do not have excellent hygiene standards - starting with those at public hospitals.
Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan said on Sunday that hospital stall holders which do not get the top ‘A’ or ‘B’ ratings may be told to close shop.
‘If they want to renew the tender or take part in it, then they must deliver this minimum standard of hygiene,’ he said.
His stern stance comes in the wake of Singapore’s worst food poisoning outbreak. In Geylang Serai this month, contaminated Indian rojak struck down 154 people, killing two.
Mr Khaw believes that people here have become complacent, and said that hygiene levels have slumped to close to a failing grade.
Speaking on Sunday at the launch of a section of cycling track linking Sembawang and Woodlands, he built on his suggestion for public hospitals to lead the charge in raising hygiene standards.
‘Our food handlers are by and large A, minimum B. There were only a handful who are C. So of course a lot of pressure would be on them to improve,’ he added.
His benchmark: Japan, where food stalls are so clean that Mr Khaw said he is ‘prepared to pay a little bit more for that security’.
The private sector has already shown it is possible.
At the Kopitiam chain, which has five of its 57 food courts located at hospitals, it is compulsory to get an A grade.
Mr Khaw saying that people here becoming complacent? There is someone who is paid top dollars in Singapore to ensure that these hygiene standards are maintained and that this person is none other than Mr Khaw!
This is like a QC manager of a factory saying that the factory workers are complacent when clients came back with complains of defective products. 
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