Singapore Beverage Regulation

1. Competent authority

2. Market access approval

2.1 Importer registration

Importers must register with SFA before importing beverages to Singapore. Before that, companies shall register with ACRA to get a Unique Entity Number (UEN) and activate their UEN with Singapore Customs through TradeNet. For more details, please refer to Step-by-Step Guide for New Application of Registration to Import Processed Food Products.

2.2  Import permit

Beverages are regulated as “processed food” and can be imported into Singapore from any country or region, provided that they meet SFA’s conditions. For each shipment entering Singapore, importers must apply for an import permit through TradeNet. The application requires submission of relevant supporting documents and payment of applicable fees. Detailed requirements can be found in import permit application.

It shall be noted that certain beverage types such as packaged mineral and drinking water and coconut milk are classified as higher-risk products and are subject to the Regulated Source Programme. For these products, importers must ensure that they are imported from establishments regulated by the competent authorities of the exporting country or region with an acceptable quality assurance programme (e.g. HACCP and GMP). And when applying for import permits for these products, the importers shall submit additional supporting documents for SFA review. 

Further requirements about products under the Regulated Source Programme can be found in the Import Requirements for Food & Food Products.

2.3 Inspection and sampling

All food consignments are subject to inspection, during which SFA collects samples for laboratory analysis. Inspection items include microbiological, pesticides, drug residues, preservatives, contaminants, and additives.

 3. Product compliance

3.1 Product requirements

Beverages in Singapore must comply with the product requirements in the Food Regulations. Please refer to the corresponding provisions in the Food Regulations for specific requirements.

3.2 Label

Beverages in Singapore should follow the labeling requirements in the Food Regulations. Importers can also refer to A Guide to Food Labelling and Advertisements.

Singapore has special labeling requirements for beverages subject to Nutri-Grade system, which grades beverages into four levels (A to D) by sugar and saturated fat content.

It is voluntary for enterprises to indicate Nutri-Grade mark on Grade “A” or“B” beverages. However, beverage whose grade is “C” or“D” must be labelled with Nutri-Grade mark. Please check Regulation 184D of the Food Regulations for more details of Nutri-Grade mark.

Some other major labeling requirements regarding beverages include:

• Any non-alcoholic drink for human consumption without dilution, if incorporates the name of a fruit, vegetable or flower in its name but does not contain the juice of that fruit, vegetable or flower, shall be labelled in the following manner:

1.  (Name of fruit, vegetable or flower) — ade;

2. (Name of fruit, vegetable or flower) flavoured drink;

3. Imitation (name of fruit, vegetable or flower) drink.

• If certain sweetening agents are added at the level as shown in the table below, some beverage types must be labeled with an advisory statement that children of 9 years old and below should not consume more than 2 servings a day, 250mL per serving.

* Global Food Compliance Service

We provide various market entry services to help stakeholders better understand exporting requirements, establish business and secure a competitive place to facilitate trade development.

 Covered Countries

China, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, United States, European Union, Australia, New Zealand etc.

Our Services

• Food Ingredient Review

• Label Review

• Product Registration

• Regulatory Consultation

• Monitoring, Training and customized report

Please feel free to contact us via [email protected] if you need any help.