Focal Point Information

E-mail:

[email protected]

Country:

Singapore

Organization/agency name (Full name):

Singapore Food Agency (SFA)

Contact person name:

Dr Tan Yong Quan

Website:

http://www.sfa.gov.sg

Physical full address:

52 Jurong Gateway Road 14-01 JEM Office Tower Singapore 608550

Phone number:

(65)68052750

Fax number:

Country introduction

Summary:

The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) is a Statutory Board established under the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment (MSE) to oversee food safety and security. SFA’s mission is to ensure and secure a supply of safe food. SFA adopts a risk-based approach to food safety. Foods with foodborne hazards that may pose potential food safety risks to consumers are subjected to more stringent checks, regardless of their country of origin. SFA has in place an integrated system to ensure that both imported and domestically produced foods are safe for consumption. The system comprises control measures such as source accreditation, inspection and surveillance of food, laboratory analysis, food legislation and recall of food products, which safeguard food safety from farm to fork.

Framework

Regulatory framework:

My country has a regulatory framework that requires the competent authority to conduct safety assessment of GM food.

Structure for GM food safety assessment:

My country is in the process in developing a structure for GM food safety assessment.

Supplemental information:

Before a GM food crop is allowed in Singapore, the proponent is required to submit a proposal to the Genetic Modification Advisory Committee (GMAC), which serves as SFA’s scientific advisory body, for food safety assessment. After GMAC has completed the assessment and has made its recommendations on the application, SFA will conduct further assessment on the GM food crop before considering the final approval of the application. More information on the safety assessment process can be found on SFA and GMAC’s websites:

https://www.sfa.gov.sg/food-import-export/commercial-food-imports#Conditions-related-to-Genetically-Modified-Crops

http://www.gmac.sg/Index_Singapore_Guidelines_on_the_Release_of_Agriculture_Related_GMOs.html

Contact details of the competent authority(s) responsible for the safety assessment and the product applicant:

Singapore Food Agency (SFA)

Assessment

GM food safety assessment guidelines:

My country follows the relevant Codex Guidelines or national/regional guidelines that are in line with the Codex Guidelines in conducting safety assessment of GM food.

Conduct of GM food safety assessment:

My country regularly conducts food safety assessment of GM food.

Supplemental information on the implementation:

The list of approved GM Events can be found on SFA’s website:

https://www.sfa.gov.sg/docs/default-source/tools-and-resources/resources-for-businesses/list-of-approved-genetically-modified-crops-for-use-as-food-or-as-food-ingredients.pdf

Stacked events

Regulation of stacked events:

Others

Supplemental information on the stacked events:

More information on the guidelines for the safety assessment of stacked events can be found on GMAC’s website:

http://www.gmac.sg/Index_Singapore_Guidelines_on_the_Release_of_Agriculture_Related_GMOs.html

Production and trade

GM food/feed production:

My country does not produce any GM food or feed.

GM food/feed imports:

My country allows imports GM food or feed upon authorization.

Supplemental information on the production and trade:

LLP/AP incidents

LLP/AP incidents:

My country does not monitor LLP/AP situations.

Supplemental information on the LLP/AP incidents:

Labelling requirement

Labelling requirement:

My country allows a voluntary and positive/negative labeling on GM food.

Supplemental information on the Labelling requirement:

Like all other food products, GM food must meet the food labelling requirements as stipulated in the Singapore Food Regulations with regard to information for consumers and information to facilitate tracing and recall of food. In addition, the food labels should not make false or misleading statements about the food. The Singapore Food Regulations can be accessed on SFA’s website at :

https://www.sfa.gov.sg/legislation?type=sale-of-food-act-chapter-283&page=1

Relevant links to documents and information prepared by the competent authority responsible for the safety assessment

https://www.sfa.gov.sg/food-import-export/commercial-food-imports