Restaurants may allow pets at outdoor dining areas without separate SFA approval from Jan. 1, 2025

Pet owners, rejoice.

Those seeking to bring their pets along for dine-in could have more options soon, as regulations are set to be eased for restaurants' Outdoor Refreshment Areas (ORAs).

From Jan. 1, 2025, food businesses seeking to allow pets in their ORAs no longer need to seek additional approval from SFA if they are not serving pet food, the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) announced in a press release on Dec. 2.

ORAs refer to unenclosed refreshment areas outside the main structure of buildings or the food premises, even if under shelter. They must also be accessible without needing to go through the food premises.

The agency expects around 40 food businesses to benefit from this move annually.

Currently, all food businesses need to convert their licence to a pet café licence to allow their patrons to bring pets along for dine-in at ORAs.

After Jan. 1, 2025, businesses that plan to serve pet food will still be required to apply for a pet café license.

Pets will also continue to be prohibited at hawker centres and their ORAs, as they are communal spaces and not privately-managed food businesses.

Food safety risk assessed to be low

SFA said the move is part of the agency's regular review of its food safety regulatory framework to ensure that it remains relevant in addressing food safety risks, while "enabling a pro-enterprise regulatory environment".

The agency said it has assessed the food safety and zoonotic transmission risk from having this change to be low, and that prevailing food safety requirements that apply to retail food businesses are sufficient to mitigate the risk.

"Nonetheless, retail food businesses should adopt good food safety practices to ensure food safety and a conducive environment for all patrons," SFA advised.

For restaurants that intend to serve pet food, SFA will require such businesses to have additional food safety requirements, such as separating food preparation and storage areas for human and pet food.

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