The National Environment Agency (NEA) will require caterers to prominently time-stamp all catered and pre-packed meals from 15 February 2012.

This new mandatory time-stamping requirement is to strengthen food safety. The time-stamp information informs consumers that pre-packed food kept between 5°C and 60°C should be consumed within 4 hours.

NEA will also require event organisers to time-stamp catered meals so that the provision and serving of such food can be better managed. The time-stamp will also help consumers remember to finish their catered meals within the safe time period.