SFA has in place a food safety system based on science and risk analysis. All food products (both imported and locally produced) are required to comply with our food safety standards and requirements.
Working with local farms
SFA monitors the use of veterinary drugs in our farms. Antibiotics are not allowed to be used for promoting growth of animals in Singapore. Certain antibiotics are allowed to treat disease and prevent infections in animals but, for food safety reasons, SFA also bans a number of antibiotics from use in food-producing animals. If antibiotics are used to treat animals, farmers are required to observe a certain time period (known as withdrawal period) before the animals/animal products can be slaughtered or sold. This will ensure that the antibiotics are passed out of the animals’ physiological systems, and any residual antibiotics are trace levels below the maximum allowed residue levels. SFA regularly conducts tests to ensure that food products do not contain residues of banned substances and permissible substances do not exceed maximum residue limits.
In addition, SFA works with local farmers to implement good animal husbandry practices to prevent disease incursion and manage diseases, which would reduce use of antibiotics.
Regular inspections, sampling & monitoring
All imported and locally produced food products are subjected to regular inspections and sampling. Our sampling tests cover a wide range of hazards that are known to be associated with food (for e.g. pesticide, drug residues such as antibiotics, harmful bacteria like Salmonella and Listeria, etc.). Food products that do not comply with the Singapore Food Regulations will not be allowed for sale.
SFA also monitors the AMR profile in common food-borne pathogens, and our local poultry and ruminant farms. The information gathered will provide valuable insights on the development of AMR locally and help us to take appropriate precautionary measures. SFA is working with other agencies to implement a national integrated surveillance system to track the spread of AMR not only in food, but also humans, animals and the environment.
Regular inspections, sampling & monitoring
All imported and locally produced food products are subjected to regular inspections and sampling. Food products that do not comply with the Singapore Food Regulations will not be allowed for sale.
Antibiotics are the major groups of veterinary drugs globally used by livestock and aquaculture industry for prevention and treatment of infectious diseases. As Singapore imports over 90% of our food, it is important to have a robust drug residue monitoring system to ensure the safety of the imported meat products. NCFS has developed an extraction method which could test for more than 100 veterinary drugs in food from animal origins. This method has greatly enhanced the speed and efficiency at which we detect veterinary drug residues in meat, strengthening SFA's efforts in combatting AMR.
SFA also monitors the AMR profile in common food-borne pathogens, and our local poultry and ruminant farms. The information gathered will provide valuable insights on the development of AMR locally and help us to take appropriate precautionary measures. SFA is working with other agencies to implement a national integrated surveillance system to track the spread of AMR in not only food, but also humans, animals and the environment.
Accreditation and certification of food
SFA has accreditation and certification programmes, such as the Singapore Egg Quality Scheme and Good Aquaculture Practices certification, which emphasise quality management, good hygiene and farm management practices and monitoring of veterinary drug use on the farm. SFA will continue to promote its accreditation and certification schemes to advocate good husbandry practices and disease prevention to reduce use of antimicrobials, and promote its prudent and responsible use among local farmers.
Outreach and publicity
SFA Officers volunteering at this year’s World Antibiotic Awareness Week (WAAW) library outreach events, organised by Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health (SSHSPH) and supported by the Antimicrobial Resistance Coordinating Office (AMRCO) – National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID), to raise public awareness of antibiotics and antibiotic resistance.
SFA leverages on international events such as “World Health Day” and “World Antibiotics Awareness Week” to reiterate our messaging on AMR. In particular, for World Antibiotics Awareness Week held in November every year, SFA promotes AMR through social media and library outreach events organised by the Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health (SSHSPH). We also conduct learning journeys on food safety for preschools.
Like and follow us on SFA’s social media platforms at Facebook and Instagram for more content and updates on food supply resilience and food safety, including AMR.
Regional efforts
SFA coordinates efforts within the ASEAN region to combat AMR in the livestock and aquaculture sectors, through the development of regional guidelines on antimicrobial use in food producing animals. SFA also builds capabilities in the region by sharing technical expertise and experience with other countries, such as conducting regional training workshops for antibiotics residues testing.