Insect as food – safety is a priority (The Business Times, 30 July 2024

The safety of all food consumed in Singapore, including insects, is a priority of the Singapore Food Agency (SFA). SFA has put in place a robust insect regulatory framework to ensure that insects, whether produced locally or imported, are safe for consumers who wish to consume them as an additional food option.

Retail and non-retail food establishments, including those retailing insect products, are subjected to SFA’s inspection and surveillance, which include sampling for food safety testing. Food found to be non-compliant with SFA’s food safety regulations will not be allowed for sale. 

To allow consumers to make an informed choice, pre-packaged food, including those containing insects as an ingredient, are required under Singapore’s Food Regulations to label the product packaging to indicate the true nature of the product. If food establishments, like restaurants, do not indicate to the consumer that the food sold contains insects or insect products, SFA can take action under Section 18 of the Sale of Food Act for selling food which is not of the quality or not of the nature or not of the substance of the food demanded by the customer, which carries a fine not exceeding $5,000. If unsure, consumers, especially those who are allergic to insects, should check with food establishments whether any insect or insect products are used in the food.

Food safety is a joint responsibility. Consumers who come across food establishments mislabelling food products or companies not complying with SFA’s standards should report to SFA via the online feedback form (https://csp.sfa.gov.sg/feedback) for our investigation.