Singapore Food Regulation

1. Overview

Singapore relies on imports for over 90% of its food supply, making it a highly dynamic and crucial market for international food enterprises. Despite its limited geographical footprint, Singapore boasts high purchasing power, diverse consumer demographics, and serves as a strategically important launchpad into the broader Southeast Asian market. The regulatory framework in Singapore is characterized by its strict, transparent, and science-based approach. The government adopts a risk-based food safety management system that aligns closely with international standards such as the Codex Alimentarius. For overseas food companies seeking to enter the Singapore market, understanding the applicable regulatory requirements is essential to ensure market access and avoid potential import delays or non-compliance issues.

2. Competent Authorities

3. Regulatory Framework

Singapore's food regulations are established through primary parliamentary acts and subsidiary legislations under these Acts. Below are the key regulations governing the food industry:

In addition to legislation, Singapore authorities regularly issue guidance documents, circulars, and codes of practice to provide practical compliance instructions for food businesses. Key guidance documents include:

• A Guide to Food Labelling and Advertisements

• A Guide to Nutrition Labelling for Food Products

• Health Supplements Guidelines

• Guidelines for Claims and Claims Substantiation of Health Supplements and Traditional Medicines

• Requirements for the Safety Assessment of Novel Food and Novel Food Ingredients 

• ……

4. Market Access Requirements

Overseas source accreditation

The following food categories must be imported from SFA-approved sources.

• Meat & meat products, unless the products contain less than 5% meat

• Live poultry

• Shell eggs

• Processed eggs (powdered and pasteurised liquid eggs, whole egg products)

• Higher-risk fish and seafood products, such as live oysters and pufferfish

Food businesses are suggested to refer to the Accreditation Database for Overseas Sources to verify whether the exporting country/region and establishment have been approved before initiating import activities.

Where an overseas source is not listed in the database, SFA accreditation is required. The accreditation process generally involves:

• Accreditation of exporting country/region

• Accreditation of establishment

Detailed requirements and procedures are available in the General Requirements for Overseas Farms & Establishments Accreditation and Overseas Accreditation of Food & Food Products

Supplier registration under the Regulated Source Programme

Certain processed food products are classified as higher-risk products and are subject to the Regulated Source Programme. These products include:

• Packaged mineral and drinking water and ice

• Coconut milk and grated coconut, and nasi lemak

• Infant formula (age 0-12 months)

• Infant cereal

• Land snails

• Minimally processed fruits and vegetables

• Pasteurised liquid milk

• Traditional cakes (kueh kueh)

• Cut sugarcane

• Mooncakes

For products covered under the Regulated Source Programme, importers must ensure that products are imported from establishments regulated by the competent authorities of the exporting country or region with an acceptable quality assurance programme (e.g. HAACP and GMP). The importers shall submit documentary proof such as certificate of HAACP certificate, GMP certificate health certificate, authority attestation or factory licence for SFA review. More product-specific requirements and required documents can be found in the Import Requirements of Specific Food Products. Upon SFA approval, the importers will receive a unique establishment code for each registered supplier.

Certain products imported from Malaysia, including infant formula, infant cereal, mooncakes, edible oil, dried beancurd sticks, skin, and sheets, traditional cakes/kueh kueh, cooked rice products, and other perishable cooked food that are ready-to-eat are subject to the enhanced Regulated Source Programme, under which the products must originate from Malaysian establishments registered with the Malaysian Ministry of Health. Further requirements can be found in the Import Requirements for Food & Food Products.

Pre-market approval for certain products

Most conventional food products do not require pre-market registration or approval before importation into Singapore. However, certain categories, including novel foods and genetically modified foods, require pre-market assessment and approval by SFA before they can be placed on the Singapore market.

Importer licence/permit/registration

Imports into Singapore must be conducted through a Singapore-based importer that holds the appropriate licence, permit, or registration issued by SFA. The applicable requirements depend on the product category. Below are some typical categories.

Application requirements and details can be found in the Application Process & Fees for Licence / Permit / Registration for Import / Export.

Import permit for every consignment

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. SFA takes at least 1 working day to review complete applications.

Inspection and clearance

Upon arrival in Singapore, food consignments may be subject to SFA inspection. SFA applies a risk-based inspection approach, where inspection frequency and intensity depend on factors such as the product's risk profile, the source country's food safety record, and the importer's compliance history. Certain consignments may be placed under a "hold and test" regime, where the product cannot be sold until laboratory results confirm its compliance.

5. Product Compliance

5.1 Product standards

Singapore establishes specific standards for different food categories under the Food Regulations. These standards define product composition and manufacturing requirements, as well as specific labelling requirements.

Typical food categories include:

• Milk and milk products: Regulation 93-125 of Part IV of the Food Regulations

• Special purpose food: Regulations 247-254 Part IV of the Food Regulations.

• Infant formula: Regulations 252-254 of Part IV of the Food Regulations.

• Nutri-grade beverages: Regulation 184A-184F of Part IV of the Food Regulations

• Non-alcoholic drinks: Regulation 180-184 of Part IV of the Food Regulations

• Alcoholic drinks: Regulation 185-210 of Part IV of the Food Regulations

• Meat and meat products: Regulation 59-70 of Part IV of the Food Regulations

It shall be noted that health supplements (excluding supplements of food nature regulated by SFA) fall under the health product framework and are regulated separately from conventional foods by the HSA.

5.2 Ingredient compliance

Approved ingredients and additives

• General food ingredients: Ingredients with a history of safe consumption may generally be used without pre-market approval, provided that they comply with applicable safety requirements.

• Food additives: Only food additives that have been assessed by SFA are permitted for use in food products. Those approved food additives are listed in the Food Regulations, with different usage requirements based on the additive types and applicable food categories.

Refer to ChemLinked FoodCheck to check if a food additive is allowed and its usage requirements.

Prohibited substances

Restrictions on substances used in conventional foods are mainly implemented through controls on unauthorized ingredients, prohibited additives, and specific prohibition provisions and administrative measures. For example, Article 36A of the Food Regulations expressly prohibits the use of partially hydrogenated oils in food products.

Restrictions on health supplement ingredients are regulated separately by the HSA under the Guidelines on Prohibited and Restricted Ingredients in Health Supplements and Traditional Medicines. 

Novel foods compliance

The SFA defines novel foods as food or food ingredients that do not have a history of safe use. This includes, but is not limited to substances derived from new sources (e.g., new microorganisms, cell culture), and substances produced using new technologies.

Novel foods must obtain SFA pre-market approval before being placed on the Singapore market. Applicants are required to submit safety assessment data demonstrating that the novel food does not pose a risk to human health. Guidance on pre-market approval application and information required can be found in the Guidelines on Applying for Pre-Market Approval for a Novel Food and Requirements for the Safety Assessment of Novel Food and Novel Food Ingredients 

New food additives compliance

SFA evaluates the safety of new food additives in accordance with the Codex general principles for the use of food additives. Only food additives that have been assessed and approved by SFA, and included in the Food Regulations are allowed for use in food products sold in Singapore. Information required for assessment of new additives can be found in the Guidance Information on Requirements for Use of Food Additives.

5.3 Hygiene and contaminant standards

5.4 Labelling

Mandatory labelling items for pre-packaged foods

• Name or description of the Food

• Statement of ingredients

• Allergen declaration

• Net quantity

• Name and Address of Singapore importer, distributor or agent

• Country of origin

• Lot identification number

• Directions for use or handling of food (where applicable)

• Date Marking (mandatory for perishable or short shelf-life products, products whose quality may deteriorate over time, products that are susceptible to contamination and infant food)

• Nutrition information panel (mandatory for nutri-grade beverages, special purpose foods, foods containing edible fats and oils, foods carrying nutrition or health claims)

• Nutri-grade (mandatory for beverages graded C or D)

• Other product-specific requirements if applicable

Further labelling guidance can be found in the Food Regulations and

Refer to ChemLinked FoodCheck for labelling compliance review

5.5 Claims

Nutrition and health claims for general foods

Nutrition claims refer to any statement suggesting or implying that a food has particular nutritional properties, which can be stated either positively or negatively, for example, 'high in fiber' or 'low in fat.'

Health claims for general foods are categorized into three types:

• Nutrient Function Claims

• Other Function Claims

• Reduction of Disease Risk Claims

These claims are permitted only when the relevant nutrients or substances meet the criteria set out in the HPB's A Guide to Nutrition Labelling for Food Products

Health claims for health supplement

Health supplement claims are generally divided into general health claims and specific health claims. HSA provides a list of permitted claims for health supplements, categorized into 13 functional areas based on bodily functions and biological activities. Health supplement claims must be substantiated by good quality evidence relevant to the claims.

Health supplements must not be labelled, advertised or promoted for the diagnosis, prevention, alleviation, treatment or cure of any disease, disorder, or medical condition. 

Refer to ChemLinked FoodCheck for claim compliance review

Resource

Food Claim Compliance in Southeast Asia

#Online Courses

Food Claim Compliance in Southeast AsiaThis online course aims to provide a comprehensive and practical overview of food claim regulations in Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines, covering the regulatory landscape, classification of claims, and country-specific requirements.

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.