Singapore Food Import Regulations: A Complete Guide for Registration and Labelling Compliance
Introduction
Singapore is renowned for its stringent food safety standards and rigorous regulatory framework. For businesses looking to dive into this vibrant market, understanding and adhering to Singapore’s food import regulations is essential. This guide explains the key regulatory acts, outlines the necessary compliance procedures, and highlights how expert services can support a smooth market entry.
Primary Food Regulatory Authorities in Singapore
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Singapore Food Agency (SFA): The national authority responsible for ensuring the safety and security of food in Singapore.
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Health Sciences Authority (HSA): The statutory board overseeing pharmaceuticals, medical devices, complementary health products, and cosmetics. Health supplements, as health products, fall under the purview of HSA.
Singapore’s Food Regulatory Framework
Sale of Food Act
Enacted in 1973 and regularly updated, the Sale of Food Act is the cornerstone of Singapore’s food safety oversight. It is designed to ensure that both domestic and imported food products are safe, genuine, and of high quality. By prohibiting food adulteration, contamination, and fraudulent practices, the Act serves as a safeguard for public health and consumer trust.
Food Regulations
Complementing the Sale of Food Act, the Food Regulations provide detailed guidelines on food composition, additives, labeling, and hygiene standards. These regulations dictate the everyday operational compliance for the food industry.
Health Products Act 2007
For health supplements, vitamins, and traditional herbal remedies that fall outside the realm of ordinary food products, the Health Products Act of 2007 is the governing statute. Through strict registration processes, advertising oversight, and adverse reaction monitoring, this Act guarantees both the safety and veracity of claims made by health-related products.
Compliance Obligations
Product Compliance
Prior to exporting food products, including health supplements, to Singapore, exporters/importers must ensure that the quality specifications, ingredient composition, and labeling of the products comply with Singapore’s regulatory requirements, safeguarding consumers from potential harm.
Business Registration
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Overseas Farm and Facility Certification: SFA mandates certification for high-risk overseas food source farms and facilities to ensure food safety. This applies to production and processing facilities for meat and meat products, live poultry, eggs and egg products, and fish and fish products. Certification applications must be submitted to SFA through the competent authority of the exporting country or region.
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Importer Registration: Local importers in Singapore must obtain an SFA license to engage in import activities.
Product Registration and Licensing
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Pre-Import: Apart from overseas farm and facility certification, SFA does not require additional registration or filing. Health supplements regulated by HSA also do not require registration or filing, but distributors may voluntarily notify HSA of health supplements supplied to Singapore.
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At Import: For each consignment, importers must declare an import permit to Singapore Customs.
Our Services
Food Classification and Formula Review
We conduct comprehensive reviews of client product formulas, including qualitative and quantitative assessments of food ingredients, excipients, food additives, and nutritional fortifiers. In accordance with regulatory requirements, we accurately classify ingredients, determine their usability and compliance with usage limits, and evaluate the rationality of final product formulations. We provide review conclusions and recommendations, along with corresponding review reports.
Label Review and Preparation
In line with Singapore’s food labeling requirements, we review client product labels and provide review reports to mitigate risks of non-compliance with labeling and advertising regulations.
Voluntary Notification for Health Supplements
We assist clients in completing voluntary notifications for health supplements in Singapore. Our services include, but are not limited to, guiding clients in preparing necessary application materials, licenses, and business licenses; collecting and reviewing documents required for registration; assisting with laboratory testing for registration; and submitting application materials while providing timely updates on registration progress.
Regulatory Consultation
For clients with specific regulatory inquiries and consultation needs, we offer tailored consulting services. Additionally, we provide practical regulatory training, compliance access reports, and regulatory dynamic monitoring and alert services based on client requirements.
Navigating food compliance in ASEAN? Explore our complete guides for key markets:
Malaysian Food Import Regulations
Philippines Food Import Regulations
Thailand Food Import Regulations
