Healthier Food for Singaporeans

If you just starting to plan for a food hawker business, I believe it is worth considering a stall menu that ties in with the Healthier Hawker Food Program. Under National Nutrition Survey (NNS) 2004, they found that every one in two local adults aged 18-69 years eats out at hawker centres six times or more per week. This shows that there is a need to improve the nutrition standards of the hawker centres.

'Ask for' Programme

In fact, this campaign has been around for a few years, starting with 'Ask for' programme. I remembered there was a period where many vendors put up 'Ask for more vegetables' and I often wouldn't ask for that because I was not sure if they are going to charge me a little more or whether adding more vegetables may mean lesser of other ingredients that may change the whole food experience.

'Healthier Hawker Food' Programme

To improve on the programme, a joint collaboration took place between Singapore Heath Promotion Board (HPB) and National Environment Agency (NEA) on the 'Healthier Hawker Food Programme'. In addition, with the rise in concern on trans fat, HPB has been publishing the trans fat content from various common food items. At the moment, only 1% or less trans fat content in food is allowed from the total calorie intake and complies in accordance to World Health Organization (WHO).

Low salt, Low Trans fat, Low oil....?

Currently, the challenge for food hawker vendor is often to plan the food preparation process that comply not only to the food hygiene standards, but also meet the expectation and the demand of the consumer. Now, it looks to me that there are more to come.

Personally, I think that though having a profitable business is one of the most critical thing to consider for sustaining a Hawker business, I believe that there is also a sense of social responsibility from the food vendors and manufacturers. Just bear in mind that whatever they are serving to the community, they will eventually see the health impacts as well.

Other Related Articles

1) HPB- How New Healthier Hawker Food Programme Benefits the Locals

2) HPB- Healthy Eating at Hawker Centre