Ban on Trans Fat in Foods Sold in Singapore

Mr Leon Perera asked the Minister for Health (a) whether the Ministry has studied the impact of a potential ban on all types of trans fat in foods sold in Singapore, including in supermarkets and eateries; and (b) whether the Ministry can provide an update on the implementation of the ban on partially hydrogenated oils as an ingredient in all foods sold here that has been effective from June 2021.

Trans fat can come from both natural and artificial sources. Natural trans fat occurs in dairy products and red meats, such as beef and lamb, hence, it is not possible to reformulate or remove them from products.

Before the partially hydrogenated oils (PHO) ban, the majority of the trans fat in our diet came from artificial trans fat. The main source of artificial trans fat is PHOs that can be found in products, such as snacks and fat spreads. Singapore tackled trans fat in the food supply in two phases. In 2013, Singapore implemented trans fat limits in fats and oils, across supermarkets and eateries. In 2021, we introduced a ban on PHO, to eliminate artificial trans fat in Singaporeans’ diets.

Since the announcement of the PHO ban in June 2019, high-risk products, such as fat spreads and frozen cakes, have already been reformulated to be PHO-free. After the ban came into effect in June 2021, we have not detected any non-compliance from our surveillance. The Health Promotion Board will continue to conduct regular surveillance and monitor the average daily trans fat intake among Singaporeans.