Singapore Consults on Food Regulations 2021, the Use of 2’-FL in Infant Formula Involved

The use of 2'-fucosyllactose/difucosyllactose (2'-FL/DFL) mixture should not exceed 160 mg/100mL in infant formula targeting at babies not more than six-month-old, and its maximum usage in infant formula designed for babies between six- and twelve-month-old is 120 mg/100mL. The proportion of 2'-FL in the 2'-FL/DFL mixture is at least 75%. Three new types of steviol glycosides are permitted as sweetening agents and they should follow the regulations currently stipulated for steviol glycosides.

As revealed by WTO notification (G/SPS/N/SGP/69) issued on May 3, 2021, Singapore opened Draft Food (Amendment No. X) Regulations 2021 for public feedback, and WTO members should submit their comments prior to July 2, 2021.

The proposed amendments of Food Regulation 2021 include the following four parts:

1. Include new food additives and usage requirements

The exposure draft specifies the use of 2'-fucosyllactose/difucosyllactose (2'-FL/DFL) mixture, and Lacto-N-tetraose (LNT) in infant formula. The details are as follow:

	Infant formula for infants not more than six months of age	Infant formula for infants more than six months of age but not more than 12 months of age
2'-FL/DFL	≤160 mg/100mL	≤120 mg/100mL
LNT	≤80 mg/100mL	≤60 mg/100mL

It is noteworthy that the proportion of 2’-FL in the mixture is at least 75% and that of DFL should reach at least 5%.

Three new types of steviol glycosides are permitted as sweetening agents and they should follow the regulations currently stipulated for steviol glycosides (Thirteenth Schedule of the Food Regulations).

The use of sodium polyacrylate in instant noodles should not exceed 2000 ppm. Sucrose oligoesters (both type I and type II) is permitted as general purpose food additive.

2. Extend the scope of existing food additives

According to the draft, benzoates and sorbates could be used in “desserts, fruit based, milk and cream”, whose maximum amount are both 1,000 ppm when the food product contains either benzoates or sorbates as the sole preservative. In addition, the application scopes of steviol glycosides includes another nine food categories such as fish products, cocoa-based spreads, bread and bakery products.

3. Revise the maximum limits for heavy metals in food

Heavy metals subject to the revision are arsenic, lead, cadmium and mercury. Please check the WTO notification for the details.

4. Specify the purity requirements of food additives

The purity of the food additive must conform to the specifications in the Food Regulations. When it is not provided, then it must conform with the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives' (JECFA's) specifications.