Consultation on Draft Food Amendment Regulations 2019

Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority - Regulatory Administration Group

Consultation Period: 06 Sep 2018 - 05 Nov 2018

Status: Closed - Summary of Responses

Response To Comments Received From The Public Consultation On The Draft Food (Amendment) Regulations 2019

The Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) initiated a public consultation on the draft Food (Amendment) Regulations 2019 from 6 September 2018 to 5 November 2018. Concurrently, trading partners and interested parties were notified via WTO notifications G/SPS/N/SGP/61 and G/TBT/N/SGP/45 (18 September to 17 November 2018).

Feedback was sought from stakeholders (local food manufacturers and importers) as well as trading partners and interested parties, on views and comments with regard to the proposed amendments.

At the close of the public consultation exercise and WTO notification period, AVA has received 6 responses: 5 from the industry and 1 from a foreign government. One industry member expressed support for the proposed amendments to the Food Regulations, with no further comments. The comments and feedback from the remaining 5 submissions are summarised below.

Industry members voiced support for the inclusion of new food additives into the Food Regulations, such as new enzymes and new sweetening agent (monk fruit extract). One industry member requested AVA to increase the limit for ash content of monk fruit extract from 2% (w/w) to 5% (w/w), to be in line with the limit for ash content specified in the United States Food Chemical Codex, which was also adopted by Canada, Australia and New Zealand. This would facilitate trade as monk fruit extracts commercially traded in the United States and the other major developed countries would then be allowed for use in Singapore. AVA has assessed and concluded that the company’s request can be acceded to.

A foreign government requested for the scientific rationale for the proposed maximum limits for copper in various edible fats and oils as it was of the view that the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) has not established limits for copper in fats and oils. AVA clarified that the CAC has adopted maximum limits for copper in the Standard for Named Vegetable Oils (CODEX STAN 210-1999), Standard for Olive Oils and Olive Pomace Oils (CODEX STAN 33-1981), Standard for Named Animal Fats (CODEX STAN 211-1999) and Standard for Edible Fats and Oils Not Covered by Individual Standards (CODEX STAN 19-1981). Singapore’s proposed maximum limits for copper in various edible fats and oil are in line with the Codex’s maximum limits.

An industry member commented that some varieties of the non-ready-to-eat oats would not be able to meet the criteria for the health claim for oat beta-glucan, in view of the naturally high saturated fat content in these products. AVA clarified that the nutrient criteria is based on the ready-to-eat food, when prepared in accordance to the directions of use indicated on the product label.

AVA appreciates the time taken by all parties to submit feedback and comments on the draft Food (Amendment) Regulations 2019. We would encourage all parties to actively participate in future calls for comments.

Detailed Description

Aim

The Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) is seeking feedback from the food industry (local food manufacturers and importers, as well as interested parties) on the draft Food (Amendment) Regulations 2019, which are targeted to come into effect in the first quarter of 2019.

Summary of amendments

The draft Food (Amendment) Regulations 2019 contains trade facilitating measures, such as provisions for the use of new additives in food, extension of use of existing food additives, extension of use of a permitted health claim to a new food constituent, removal of copper from the list of incidental constituents and removal of the labelling requirement for eggs treated with mineral hydrocarbons. A new maximum limit for inorganic arsenic in husked rice will also be included in the Food Regulations.

A detailed description of the proposed changes can be found in the ANNEX. The legal text of the amendments can be downloaded from SFA's website at: http://www.sfa.gov.sg/legislation (select “Sale of Food Act”, then click on “Draft Food (Amendment) Regulations 2019)

Request for comments

AVA invites views and comments on the draft Food (Amendment) Regulations 2019. All submissions should be clearly and concisely written, and should provide a reasoned explanation for any proposed revisions.

Submissions should reach AVA no later than 6:00 p.m., 05 November 2018, through mail, or email, to the following addresses:

Mail:

Regulatory Programmes Department

Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority

52 Jurong Gateway Road #14-01

Singapore 608550

Tel: +(65) 6805 2931 or 6805 2910

Fax: +(65) 6334 1831

(Attention: Ms Leong Ai Ling / Mr Cheng Chee Seng)

Email: leong_ai_ling@ava.gov.sg; cheng_chee_seng@ava.gov.sg

Consultation on Draft Food (Amendment) Regulations 2019 - Annex [PDF, 67 KB]