Ministry of Industry and Trade notes to businesses on food additive regulations in Singapore

According to the Trade Office representative, Sibutramine has been banned for consumption in Singapore since 2010 due to the risk of causing heart attacks, strokes and some central nervous system disorders in users.

A delegation from the Singapore Food Authority (SFA) and the Vietnam Trade Office in Singapore, along with departments and branches of Tay Ninh province, visited the egg production process of QL VietNam Agroresources Company Limited in Thanh Xuan Hamlet, Mo Cong Commune, Tan Bien District. (Photo: VNA)

The representative of the Vietnam Trade Office in Singapore said that the Singapore Food Authority (SFA) has issued a statement about the discovery of the banned substance Sibutramine in the ingredients of three coffee products: KetoDiet Coffee from Malaysia, ChoCo Premix Coffee and V-SHOU Premium Coffee (unknown origin). SFA recommends that consumers should not buy or use these products.

Sibutramine is an ingredient in weight loss pills and is only allowed to be used under a doctor's prescription. Sibutramine has been banned in Singapore since 2010 due to the risk of heart attacks, strokes and some central nervous system disorders in users.

Under Section 15 of the Singapore Food Business Act, it is illegal to distribute unsafe food in Singapore. Any person or business that contravenes any provision of this Act is guilty of an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding SGD5,000; in the case of a second or subsequent conviction, to a fine not exceeding SGD10,000 and/or imprisonment not exceeding 3 months.

In addition, the SFA said it will take strict measures against any individuals or businesses selling or supplying unsafe food products mixed with prohibited substances.

For more information, Mr. Cao Xuan Thang, Trade Counselor, Head of Vietnam Trade Office in Singapore, said that Singapore is a market with high and strict requirements on food safety. Updating, understanding and accurately following local regulations on food is the first and most important requirement in producing and exporting food products to the Singapore market.

Food additives permitted for use in food products imported or manufactured for sale in Singapore are specified in the Food Regulation.

Businesses can refer to the Singapore Food Regulations and SFA's guidance document on permitted additives (At: https://sso.agc.gov.sg/SL/SFA1973-RG1 or https://www.sfa.gov.sg/docs/default-source/tools-and-resources/resources-for-businesses/list-of-food-additives-permitted-under-food-regulations.pdf.

The Trade Office representative also advised Vietnamese food businesses to regularly check the ingredients in their products, ensuring that only permitted food additives are used and that the content is within the maximum permitted level according to Singapore's regulations./.

Source: https://baolangson.vn/bo-cong-thuong-luu-y-doanh-nghiep-quy-dinh-phu-gia-thuc-pham-tai-singapore-5018269.html