Yes. All pre-packed food products for sale in Singapore are required to be labelled in accordance with the requirements of the Food Regulations.

The following basic information should be given in English on a food label:

a) common name or description of food;
b) complete statement of ingredients (in descending order of proportion by weight in which they are present);
c) volume or net weight;
d) name and address of :
     local manufacturer, packer or vendor (for locally manufactured food); or
     local importer, distributor or agent and the name of the country of origin (for imported food).

Items (a), (b) and (c) should be in printed letters not less than 1.5mm in height.

The types of pre-packed food products that are required to be date-marked with the expiry date are stated here.

The date marking should be shown in one of the following ways:

a) USE BY (insert dd/mm/yy)
b) SELL BY (insert dd/mm/yy)
c) EXPIRY DATE (insert dd/mm/yy)
d) BEST BEFORE (insert dd/mm/yy)

Nutrition labelling is required when a nutrition claim is made. The nutrition label is presented in the form of a nutrition information panel (NIP). The information to be declared in the NIP includes energy, protein, fat, and carbohydrate (4 core nutrients). The declaration of other nutrients is optional, but would be mandatory when such nutrients are the subject of a nutrition claim.

A nutrition claim is a representation that suggests or implies that a food has a nutritive property, whether in general or specific and whether expressed affirmatively or negatively. Examples of nutrition claims are: "Source of protein", "High in fibre", "Low in fat", "Cholesterol free" and "Sugar free".

The following are some examples of misleading statements or claims that are prohibited to be used in food labels and advertisements.

a)  A claim that a food has therapeutic or prophylactic properties, or implies in any way that it can prevent, alleviate or cure any disease or condition affecting the human body. For example, "Effective in preventing or curing cancer", "Lower the blood pressure" and "For longevity".

b) A claim that could be interpreted as advice of a medical nature from any person. For example, "Strongly recommended by doctors".

c) A claim that a food can improve health, physical condition or performance. For example, "A runner can run faster after consuming the food".

d) A claim that a food, which is intended for, babies is equivalent or superior to the milk of a healthy mother.

The following food products are required to carry a precautionary or warning statement on their labels:

a) Royal jelly and food products containing royal jelly

    For example, "WARNING - THIS PRODUCT MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR ASTHMA AND ALLERGY SUFFERERS."

b) Aspartame and food products containing aspartame

    For example, "PHENYLKETURONICS: CONTAINS PHENYLALANINE."

The details of the above information are stipulated in the Food Regulations (2005). For more information, please click here.

GM corn and soybean, which have been approved in many countries including the USA, Canada, Australia and member countries of the European Union, are very likely incorporated into various processed foods. Since we import food from these countries, it is possible that such foods are sold here in Singapore. However, these foods are safe for consumption because they are regulated like any other foods in meeting the same, if not more, rigorous safety standards.

Before a genetically modified (GM) food crop is allowed to be grown commercially for human consumption, the GM food crop has to undergo rigorous safety tests, carried out over many years. It will only be allowed to grow commercially when the safety tests show that the GM food crop is substantially equivalent to the conventional crop and is safe for human consumption. Food products made from such approved GM food crops are equally safe.

In Singapore, applications for the import or release of GM organisms (including GM food) are first evaluated by the Genetic Modification Advisory Committee (GMAC) in accordance with the GMAC’s Guidelines on the Release of Agriculture-related GM organisms. GMAC is a national committee established in 1999 with the objectives to oversee and advise on the research and development, production, use, handling and release of GMOs in Singapore.  Upon completion of the safety evaluation, GMAC will make its recommendations to the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority (AVA), the national food safety authority. GMAC’s endorsement of the GMO will be one of the criteria that AVA takes into consideration when granting the final approval of the application.

The AVA regulates the labelling of all food in Singapore. Currently, AVA is reviewing the requirement on labelling of GM food with the Genetic Modification Advisory Committee (GMAC).

GM food labelling is a complex issue and so far, international consensus has yet been reached. The Codex Alimentarius Commission, the international food standard body, is currently working on this issue.  GMAC has also set up a subcommittee to monitor international developments on the matter and to formulate a labelling regime that will be both practical and meaningful.  Meanwhile, it is not accepted by most countries that labelling is not for food safety reasons but to provide consumers with choice.  While the labelling debate continues internationally, GMAC and AVA will work to ensure that GM foods commercially available are safe for consumption.