Maids selling food in Orchard – SFA will take action against illegal hawkers
A number of women have been observed to be selling pre-packed, home-cooked food in Orchard on weekends.
At about 11am on Jan 19, Shin Min Daily News saw six women selling goods at the entrance and exit of Orchard MRT station and at a nearby bus stop.
Two of them were sitting next to the escalator at the entrance of the MRT station, with three or four bags of boxes of food at their feet.
Every 10 minutes or so, a customer would approach them and buy the food.
Four women were spotted setting up makeshift stalls at the bus stop nearby, which was crowded with people.
The women placed more than a dozen large and small bags of pre-packed food on the low wall next to the bus stop and stood by the side to chat with customers.
One of the sellers told the reporter that they were all Filipino maids who would make traditional food of their hometown during their spare time and sell it to make more money.
The food they sold included rice noodles, rice cakes and other snacks, which were packed in plastic containers and cost $5 each.
Another woman shared that on top of selling the pre-packed food on-site, the women would also take orders from regular customers and cook for gatherings.
They would at times place the containers on the seats so that customers could see what was available. However, their action was depriving the commuters at the bus stop of seats.
The reporter noticed that business was brisk, the women selling about 50 containers of food at the bus stop within three hours.
The Singapore Food Agency told The New Paper on Jan 22 that it is investigating the matter and will take enforcement action against those caught selling food products in public spaces without a valid licence.
Under the Environmental Public Health Act, the hawking of goods and food products in public spaces without a valid licence issued by SFA is not permitted.
Unregulated street food hawking causes disamenities and poses a risk to public health.
Unregulated street hawkers are transitory and cannot be traced if buyers face problems with their purchases.
Food sold via illegal hawking may be unsafe, as such food items may not meet SFA’s food safety requirements.
Through such modes of sales, these illegal street hawkers are in effect passing risks to the unsuspecting consumer to bear.
Food safety is a joint responsibility. Members of the public who come across any suspected illegal hawking of goods and/or food are advised not to patronise them and make a report via SFA online feedback form with details for our follow-up investigations.
SFA will take action against illegal hawking activities. Illegal hawkers in financial difficulties are referred to social service agencies for assistance.
Get The New Paper on your phone with the free TNP app. Download from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store now