Singapore
Country introduction:
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.
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 (regulatory framework):
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/regulatory-standards-frameworks-guidelines/genetically-engineered-food-and-feed/conditions-related-to-use-of-genetically-modified-crops-in-food
https://www.gmac.sg/guidelines/
https://www.sfa.gov.sg/regulatory-standards-frameworks-guidelines/genetically-engineered-food-and-feed/conditions-related-to-use-of-genetically-modified-crops-in-food
https://www.gmac.sg/guidelines/
Relevant contact details:
Singapore Food Agency (SFA)
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 (assessment):
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
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
Regulation stacked events:
On a case-by-case basis, some stacked events may have reduced/simplified assessment requirements.
Supplemental information (stacked events):
More information on the guidelines for the safety assessment of stacked events can be found on GMAC’s website:
https://www.gmac.sg/guidelines/
https://www.gmac.sg/guidelines/
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 (production and trade):
LLP/AP incidents:
My country does not monitor LLP/AP situations.
Supplemental information (LLP/AP incidents):
Labelling requirement:
My country allows a voluntary and positive/negative labeling on GM food.
Supplemental information (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
https://www.sfa.gov.sg/legislation?type=sale-of-food-act-chapter-283&page=1
Upload relevant documents: