Coffee Shop Operators Penalised for Poor Maintenance of Toilets and Maximum Penalty Imposed
Ministry of Sustainability and the EnvironmentSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns enforcement and support for coffeeshop toilet maintenance raised by Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song. Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu Hai Yien reported that enforcement actions increased from a 70-action annual average between 2020 and 2023 to 960 actions and 11 suspensions in 2024. Penalties include composition sums, court fines of up to $2,000, and demerit points leading to suspensions, with the highest penalty recorded being $1,500 and a one-day suspension. Minister Grace Fu Hai Yien explained that while enforcement ensures minimum standards, grants incentivise superior designs and deep cleaning for these privately-operated community amenities. The policy also relies on public responsibility and partnerships with organisations like the Restroom Association (Singapore) to sustain hygiene standards.
Transcript
7 Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song asked the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment (a) how many coffee shop operators have been penalised in the past five years for failing to maintain clean and properly equipped toilets; (b) what is the maximum penalty that has been imposed; and (c) why has the Government opted to provide grants rather than strengthen enforcement through penalties or temporary closures.
Ms Grace Fu Hai Yien: Under the Environmental Public Health (Food Hygiene) Regulations, licensees of food establishments, including coffeeshops, may be fined up to $2,000 upon each conviction for toilet-related offences in the Court. These offences may be compounded. In 2020, the penalty regime for toilet-related offences by food establishments was enhanced. Under the enhanced regime, the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) issues composition sums of up to $500 for toilet-related offences. Licensees may also incur demerit points for toilet-related offences under the Points Demerit System. Coffeeshops that accumulate 12 demerit points within a 12-month period may be liable for licence suspension of one, two or three days, depending on their suspension track record.
Between 2020 and 2023, SFA took a yearly average of 70 toilet-related enforcement actions against around 60 coffeeshop operators. In 2024, the Year of Public Hygiene, SFA stepped up inspections on public toilet cleanliness in coffeeshops, with about 960 enforcement actions taken against around 500 coffeeshop operators. In the same year, SFA also suspended 11 coffee shops for toilet-related offences. The highest penalty that has been imposed on a coffeeshop was a total of $1,500 in fines for three offences and a one-day licence suspension. Coffeeshops facing subsequent suspensions will be suspended for more days.
Coffeeshops are privately-operated commercial premises. Under the Environmental Public Health Act, they are required to provide toilets for persons using or working in the premises. However, coffeeshop owners and operators generally also make their toilets accessible to the public as a service to the community, providing this amenity to patrons and non-patrons including senior citizens, taxi drivers, private hire car drivers and food delivery personnel. While enforcement plays a crucial role in ensuring minimum toilet cleanliness standards are upheld, grants can incentivise coffeeshop operators to do even better in implementing good toilet designs and initiate the practice of regular deep cleaning.
The National Environment Agency (NEA) had previously launched the Toilet Improvement Programme (TIP) for coffeeshops between 2020 and 2021. The programme provided funding support for coffeeshop owners or operators to improve toilet designs or adopt technology to facilitate the cleaning and maintenance of toilets. However, uptake for the programme was low due to the poor economic outlook during COVID-19. NEA will incorporate learning points from TIP for the new grant schemes.
However, relying on grants and enforcement is not enough. Toilet users can play their part by using public toilets responsibly and keeping them clean for other users. NEA works closely with organisations, such as the Public Hygiene Council, the Restroom Association (Singapore) and the Singapore Kindness Movement, to support coffeeshop owners and operators to maintain toilet cleanliness through toilet cleanliness audits and provision of public education materials for display in toilets.