The BDFA is the Authority that is mandated to ensure that all food in Brunei Darussalam is safe for consumption. Part of how the BDFA accomplishes this is to ensure that all food businesses operate in sanitary and clean conditions, food handlers practice good personal hygiene and that they have sufficient knowledge on safe food practices. 

STARTING A FOOD BUSINESS

Anyone considering to operate a food business in Brunei Darussalam must ensure that they meet the requirements set out by the Ministry of Finance and Economy.

For more information see “Start & Operate” on Business.BN website.

Authorized Officers from the BDFA may at any time, conduct an inspection of the premise during its operation. Within the scope of the Brunei Darussalam Food Authority Order, 2020, the Authorized Officer may exercise their right to enter the premise without prior notice and request for documentation or any other evidence during their visits.

FOOD PREMISES INSPECTIONS

Food premises inspections are routinely carried out routinely and is an integral part of any food borne diseases outbreak investigations and public complaints.

Food premises includes restaurants, cafes. hotel kitchen, canteens, factories etc.

Inspections and evaluation of food premises focus on cleanliness, food quality and safety, food storage, equipment and utensils, food handlers, facilities available at the food premise, waste disposal and waste management, loading area and vector/pest control.  At the end of the inspection, a copy of the inspection report (in the form of a checklist) is provided to the manager/supervisor.

A scoring system has been developed to evaluate food premises:

• A score of 70% and over is deemed satisfactory
• A score of 51% to 69% is considered unsatisfactory where the manager/supervisor will be invited to a counseling session and required to carry out rectification measures within a given period of time. The premise will then be re-inspected. If premise fails to attain a score of 70% upon re-inspection, the Licensing Authority will be notified and the premise is recommended for closure.
• A score of 50% and below is deemed very unsatisfactory where the premise will be ordered for immediate closure. The manager/supervisor will be required to attend a counseling session and the premise will be re-inspected after 3 days of closure. The premise will only be allowed to resume business if it found to be satisfactory on re-inspection (attains a score of 70% or more). Otherwise, the premise will continue to be closed for a total of 7 days.

In addition to this, all food handlers are required to complete the Basic Food Safety Course for Food Handlers.