Reviews for Tests on Imported Food to Ensure Effectiveness in Detecting Excessive and Emerging Contaminants

Mr Alex Yam asked the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment (a) whether the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) regularly reviews its testing regime for imported food to ensure it remains effective in detecting excessive pesticide residues and emerging contaminants given that Singapore imports most of its food; and (b) how SFA responds when overseas food safety concerns arise involving products that are also sold in Singapore.

The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) regularly reviews its food safety testing regime. The acceptable thresholds for food safety are aligned, where possible, with Codex – the international food standards body established by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the World Health Organization.

From time to time, SFA receives international food safety alerts from overseas authorities or identifies potential food safety concerns in imported food from its ongoing surveillance efforts. In response, SFA may enhance its testing regime and initiate a recall, if necessary. SFA will also notify the public of recalled products through its press release and social media.