SINGAPORE, March 10 — Two stalls at Jurong Point Shopping Centre’s Kopitiam food court have been suspended for two weeks due to several public health violations, including failing to keep their premises free of cockroach infestation.

Both stalls were served suspension notices by the National Environment Agency (NEA) over the last week.

Food stall No 10 was the first to be served a suspension notice last night after it chalked up 12 demerit points over the past year — six points for the cockroach infestation problem and another six for using unclean crockery. 

On Wednesday, food stall No 18 also received a suspension notice by the NEA.

Apart from the cockroach infestation, its other offence was for failing to register a stall assistant.

Both food stalls have also been fined S$800 each. Food stall No 10 will be closed till March 16. Food stall No 18 will be closed till March 22.

According to the NEA, any food licensee who accumulates 12 or more demerit points during a 12-month period may have his or her licence suspended for a period of either two or four weeks, or revoked.

All food handlers working in the suspended premises would also be required to attend and pass the Basic Food Hygiene Course again, before they can resume work.

"NEA takes a serious view of these offences and would like to remind food operators to observe good food and personal hygiene practices at all times, and to engage only registered food handlers,” the agency said.

"NEA will not hesitate to take firm action against anyone found to be in violation of the Environmental Public Health Act.” — TODAY