Singapore Standards and Guidelines in Nutrition Fortification and Claims in Food Products

President, Singapore Institute of Food Science & Technology, Singapore.

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Abstract

Singapore has established a comprehensive set of standards and regulatory guidelines for food fortification and nutrition claims to ensure public health and maintain food safety. The Health Promotion Board (HPB) under the Ministry of Health oversees these regulations and in communication with the Singapore Food Agency (SFA), which are grounded in the Singapore Food Regulations and aligned with international food safety standards. These guidelines provide clear requirements for fortification processes, ensuring that added nutrients in food products meet prescribed limits to enhance their nutritional value without posing health risks. Nutrition claims, such as “low fat” or “high in vitamin C,” are tightly regulated to prevent misleading information and protect consumers from deceptive marketing practices. These regulations ensure that claims made on food packaging are substantiated by scientific evidence and comply with predefined nutrient thresholds. Additionally, the Singapore Standards (SS) for food fortification and nutrition claims aim to support the safe introduction of fortified food products in the market, promote consumer confidence, and contribute to public health initiatives, particularly in addressing nutrient deficiencies within the population. This regulatory framework ensures that the fortification and nutrition claims made by food manufacturers are transparent, accurate, and consistent with health policies in Singapore.