Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) companies and shops welcome new regulations aimed at raising food hygiene standards, but are concerned about costs.
From March next year, existing TCM shops will need to have a food retail licence if they prepare food and drinks, such as herbal tea and tea-leaf eggs, on their premises. This will cost them $195 a year.
For new TCM shops, the new requirement will come into affect in March this year.
"We have so many outlets, so it can get expensive for us," said Mr James Teo, 47, general manager of Hockhua Tonic, which has 63 outlets in Singapore.
He added that the licence fee may not be affordable for small mom-and-pop TCM shops that sell only small quantities of herbal tea a day.
For Mr Kok Chin Sin, 60, who owns Ji Tai Chinese Medical Hall in Toa Payoh, one option he might consider would be to purchase herbal tea from suppliers instead.
The National Environment Agency (NEA) said last Thursday that more than 300 existing TCM stores would be affected by the new requirements.
CONFIDENCE BOOSTER
I will feel more comfortable when I buy herbal tea from these shops in future, knowing that checks have been done on their hygiene standards.
MADAM LEONG POH KUEN, on how the new licence will raise TCM shops' hygiene levels.
IT ALL ADDS UP
We have so many outlets, so it can get expensive for us.
MR JAMES TEO, general manager of Hockhua Tonic, on the new licence fee.
To get a licence, the stores must have, for instance, a piped water inlet and waste water outlet in the food preparation area.
Those who prepare such food and drinks must attend and pass the Basic Food Hygiene Course, which teaches food handlers how to handle and prepare food safely and hygienically.
Mr Phang Kwee San, 52, director of ZTP, which has 42 outlets, said: "While the Government has to consider consumers' needs, it should also think of the industry's, so as to achieve a fair balance."
He hopes the licence fee can be lowered.
However, he agreed that the new regulations will be good for the industry as they will ensure that all stores adhere to high food safety and hygiene standards.
"Consumers will feel more at ease," he said.
Mr Woo Boon Chong, 61, acting chairman of the Singapore Chinese Druggist Association, said the new licensing requirement is fair.
"We can't expect to be charged less or not at all," he said.
The NEA said there have not been major incidents linked to food or drinks from TCM shops.
Last year, it received three complaints regarding unhygienic preparation of food and drinks sold at TCM outlets.
Consumers say the new licence will give them more confidence in the hygiene standards of TCM stores.
"I will feel more comfortable when I buy herbal tea from these shops in future, knowing that checks have been done on their hygiene standards," said Madam Leong Poh Kuen, 55, who does accounts.
