Infant Food Safety Testing for Imported Infant Milk Powder

Mr Ng Shi Xuan asked the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment (a) what is the frequency and sample size of independent tests conducted by the Singapore Food Agency on imported infant milk powder; (b) how effective is such sampling; (c) whether cereulide is tested as part of such tests; and (d) whether there are plans to increase the frequency and parameters of such tests to protect vulnerable groups.

The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) adopts a science-based risk management approach to inspection, sampling and testing. On average, eight infant formula products are tested monthly for contaminants with no related recalls between 2019 and 2025. Prior to the detection of cereulide in infant formula products that triggered global recalls in January 2026, these tests did not include cereulide as it is an uncommon contaminant in infant formula products. There are also currently no international standards by Codex Alimentarius, the international food standards setting body, on the acceptable level for cereulide in infant formula products.

Since early this year, SFA has conducted market surveillance of infant formula products sold at major retail outlets in Singapore, stepped up the testing of cereulide and recalled affected products. SFA will continue to monitor developments and adjust our sampling and testing strategy accordingly to ensure the safety of infant formula products available in Singapore.