New amendments to food regulations come into effect

The recent amendments to the Food Regulations took effect on 1 April 2017. The majority of the amendments are related to the use of new additives, expanded use of existing additives and health claims, as well as stricter requirements to better protect public health. These amendments are in line with the latest scientific and regulatory developments in international standard-setting bodies. The following are a few examples:

• Flavour enhancer L-theanine is allowed for use (within permissible levels) in brewed tea, soft drinks, chocolates, and candy. (Previously, popular brewed tea drink ‘Chun Cui He’ was briefly pulled off shelves in Singapore as it contained L-theanine which was not yet permitted for use in Singapore. This has since been revised once its safety as an additive was established.)
• Quality criteria for sesame oil and sunflower seed oil have been revised.
• A maximum limit for inorganic arsenic in polished rice is introduced, and the maximum lead level in infant formula is reduced.
• Beta-palmitin is permitted for use in infant formula.
• A health claim relating to barley beta-glucan is allowed: “Barley beta-glucans have been shown to lower/reduce blood cholesterol. High blood cholesterol is a risk factor in the development of coronary heart diseases.”