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On February 6, 2025, the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) released a circular regarding the Food (Amendment) Regulations 2025. This amendment, which involves significant updates to food labeling, was gazetted on January 31, 2025, and will come into effect on January 30, 2026.
According to the circular, these changes align with several key provisions of Codex Standards, including:
Codex General Standard for the Labeling of Prepackaged Foods (CXS 1-1985)
Codex General Guidelines on Claims (CXG 1-1979)
Codex Standard for Foods for Special Dietary Use for Persons Intolerant to Gluten (CXS 118-1979)
The key amendments include the following:
1. Processing Aids:
The regulations stipulate that ingredient lists must provide a appropriate designation of all ingredients, listed in descending order of weight. In the revised regulation, it is explicitly clarified that processing aids are not required to be included in the ingredient list, a point that was not specifically addressed in the previous version of the regulation.
2. Heading or Title for Ingredient List
Before the revision of the Food Regulations, it only specified how the ingredient list should be labeled, without explicitly stating the need for a heading. However, the revised regulation now clearly requires the inclusion of a heading or title to indicate that the section is the food ingredient list.
3. Exemptions for Water
The revised regulation provides more detailed guidelines on when "water" does not need to be listed:
In foods with two or more ingredients, where one is brine, syrup, or broth, and the water is part of that ingredient, which is declared along with the other components.
When the water is evaporated during production.
If water makes up less than 5% of the final product by volume (for liquid foods) or weight (for viscous foods).
If water is used to rehydrate a dehydrated ingredient, and the amount added is equal to the water removed in the dehydration process.
4. Additive
If a food additive is carried over from an ingredient into a finished product, it must be labeled if it serves a technological function.
5. Identification Number or Mark
Prepackaged foods must display an identification number or mark, such as a lot number, batch number, or serial number, to identify the producing factory and production lot.
6. Country of Origin
The updated regulation now mandates that the country of origin be clearly stated on food labels, accompanied by a declaration confirming the food's origin or a similar statement. An example would be "Made in France," which aligns with the current guidelines in the Food Labeling and Advertising Guide.
Excerpt of Singapore Food Labeling and Advertisements Guide:
(f) Country of origin of food
The name of the country of origin of the food should be indicated on the labels for imported foods. The name of a city, town or province alone is not acceptable.
7. New Requirements for Gluten-free and Reduced Gluten Food
The revised regulation introduces a new section titled "250B Gluten-Free and Reduced-Gluten Foods" under "Part IV: Standards and Particular Labeling Requirements for Food: Special Purpose Foods." This section defines definitions and labeling requirements related to gluten-free and reduced-gluten foods.
Food | Definition | Specified Cereal |
Gluten | A protein from certain cereals that is insoluble in water or or 0.5M NaCl, to which some individuals are hypersensitive. | Barley, oat, rye, wheat (including durum, khorasan, and spelt), hybrid cereals, and products derived from these cereals. |
Gluten-free food | Food that either does not contain certain cereals and has 20 mg/kg or less of gluten, or contains such cereals but has been processed to reduce the gluten content to 20 mg/kg or less. | |
Naturally gluten-free food | Food that does not contain a specified cereals and contains 20 mg/kg or less of gluten by weight. | |
Reduced gluten food | Food that contains a specified cereal but has been processed to contain more than 20 mg/kg but no more than 100 mg/kg of gluten by weight. |
Notably, gluten-free or reduced-gluten food intended to replace another food as a source of key nutrients must contain approximately the same amount of key nutrients. Besides, naturally gluten-free foods cannot be labeled with terms like "special dietary" or any words of similar meaning.
8. Ingredient name for declaration
The revised regulation also made some changes to "First Schedule: Permitted Use of General Terms in the Declaration of Ingredients". For example:
Eight new substances, including caseinate, cheese, sugar, and poultry meat, have been added with their general terms.
Fish can only be labeled as "fish" if no specific species is mentioned on the product name, label, or advertisement. If a specific fish species is referenced, the ingredient list must specify the exact species.
The term "flavouring" can still be used for flavorings, but the source (e.g., "natural," "nature-identical," or "artificial") must now be stated.
This amendments Singapore's Food Labeling Regulation represent a significant step toward harmonizing local standards with international practices. Additionally, the more detailed ingredient list requirements and clearer country-of-origin labeling will enhance consumer transparency. With these changes set to take effect in 2026, stakeholders must ensure compliance to avoid disruptions in the market.
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