Singapore Updates Food Additive Inventory

On Mar. 26, 2018, AVA announced the revision regarding food additives of The Food (Amendment) Regulation 2018. The latest regulation adds 7 new food additives and ingredients, expands the application scope of 4 existing food additives, and removes the maximum residue limits (MRL) for 6 legacy pesticides (residue is no longer acceptable). In addition, propyl parahydroxybenzoate (INS 216) and sodium propyl para-hydroxybenzoate (INS 217) are removed from the permitted list as these 2 preservatives are no longer considered safe food additives for consumers.

The revised "Food Regulation" entered into force on Mar. 28, 2018, applicable to food manufactured in Singapore as well as imported products.

New food additives and ingredients

2'-fucosyllactose (2'-FL) and Lacto-N-neotetraose (LNnT) can be used in infant formula milk powder with a maximum level of 120 mg/100ml and 60 mg/100ml respectively. Here are other new food additives:

S/N	Name	Function
1	Partially hydrolysed lecithin	emulsifiers
2	Amidated pectin	emulsifiers
3	Calcium L-methylfolate	source of folate
4	Phylloquinone	Sources of Vitamin K1
5	Menanquinone-7	Sources of Vitamin K2

Food additives with expanded application scope

S/N	Name	Application scope	Maximum level	Note
1	Benzoic acid (and its sodium and potassium salts)	Preprocessed caviar and other fish roe products	2000 ppm	Calculated as benzoic acid
2	Sorbic acid (and its sodium, potassium and calcium salts)	Preprocessed caviar and other fish roe products	1000 ppm	Calculated as sorbic acid
3	Sucralose	Cheese-based preparations	500 ppm
	Name	Function
4	Specific sodium, calcium and potassium salts of phosphoric acid	emulsifiers and/or stabilisers

Legacy pesticides

Maximum residue limits (MRLs) for Aldrin, DDT, Dieldrin, Endrin, Heptachlor and Lindane are removed from the regulation. By default, they will be subject to extraneous maximum residue limits (EMRLs) established by the Codex Alimentarius Commission.