On Jan. 30, 2019, Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) publicized Food (Amendment) Regulations 2019[1], announcing changes to standards for food additives, contaminants and health claims. Food products available for sale on or after 1 February 2019 shall comply with the new requirements. Major changes are:
Health claim of oat β-glucan permitted
Before the revision, only products containing barley derived β-glucan were allowed to bear a health claim. Now products containing oat derived β-glucan, may use the following claim in a label:
“Oat beta-glucans have been shown to lower/reduce blood cholesterol. High blood cholesterol is a risk factor in the development of coronary heart disease.”
Food additives newly added and scope expanded
Scope expanded | |||
Food additive name | Function | Additional scope | Maximum limit |
dimethyl polysiloxane | anti-foaming agent | lactobacillus milk drinks or cultured milk, drinks | 10 ppm |
flavored milk | |||
ready-to-drink coffee | |||
ready-to-drink tea | |||
Newly approved | |||
Food additive name | Function | scope | Maximum limit |
Monk fruit extract | Sweetening agent | all food | GMP |
propionic acid | Chemical preservatives | all food | GMP |
1,3-propanediol | Flavoring agent solvent | - | refer to British Pharmacopoeia standard |
……for more info, check on Food Regulations 2019[2] and refer to Food Additives Permitted Under the Singapore Food Regulations[3]. |
Maximum limit for contaminants and antibiotic residues
Maximum limits of copper in food are removed
Maximum limit of 5 ppm for formaldehyde in smoked meat, smoked sausage and smoked fish is deleted
Limit of inorganic arsenic in husked rice (0.35 ppm) is set
Nisin is allowed to be employed in the preservation of liquid egg analogues