On 8 July, Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) released a circular that the Food (Amendment) Regulations 2013 will take effect on 1 Aug 2013, which is the revision version of Food Regulations, a subordinate of the overarching Sale of Food Act (Chapter 283).
The main changes have been summarized by the Circular, including addition of 9 new food additives, specific provision to use polydextrose in infant formula, clearer usage of the existing food additive (dimethyl dicarbonate), maximum limits set for mycotoxins aflatoxin B1, aflatoxin M1 and Patulin in foods for infants and young children as well as for melamine in infant formula and other foods. In addition, the format for nutrition information panel is also amended so nutrients can be declared either in g, mcg, mg or other units of measurement as appropriate.
Nine newly permitted food additives are listed below:
One additive is added to the Sixth Schedule as an emulsifier and stabilizer:
Arabinogalactan (larch gum)
Other 8 additives are added to the Eighth Schedule as processing acids:
Alpha-amylase (from Bacillus subtilis)
Aminopeptidase (from Aspergillus oryzae)
Cellulase (from Trichoderma longibrachiatum)
Glucoamylase (or amyloglucosidase from Aspergillus niger)
Glycerophospholipid cholesterol acyltransferase (from a genetically modified strain of Bacillus licheniformis)
Hemicellulase (endo-1,4-β-xylanase from a genetically modified strain of Bacillus subtilis)
Hemicellulase (endo-1,4-β-xylanase from a genetically modified strain of Aspergillus niger)
Hexose oxidase (from a genetically modified strain of Hansenula polymorpha)
Polydextrose is permitted to be used in infant formula with the maximum level of 0.2g per 100ml.
The amended regulation further clarifies the application scope of the chemical preservative, dimethyl dicarbonate (DMDC), and its maximum dosage. Previously, DMDC can be added to "non-alcoholic drinks" up to the maximum level of 250 ppm. However, the food category "non-alcoholic drinks" is not well defined, and may overlap with various food categories such as "soft drinks for consumption without dilution (other than fruit drink or fruit crush)", and "fruit drink and fruit crush". After revision, the application scope is more specific.
In addition, the maximum limits for the following incidental constituents are specified:
Aflatoxin B1, up to 0.1 ppb in food for infants and young children.
Aflatoxin M1, up to 0.025 ppb in infant formula (calculated on the reconstituted ready-to-consume product) .
Patulin, up to 10 ppb in food (other than processed cereal-based food) for infants and young children.
Melamine, up to 1 ppm in powdered infant formula; up to 0.15 ppm in liquid infant formula (as consumed), up to 2.5 ppm in any other foods.
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