Food & agriculture — Topics

3 Jul 2023

Outcome of Study by National University Polyclinics on Use of Antibiotics

The Singapore Food Agency has a science-based food safety system to mitigate antimicrobial resistance risks across the food supply chain, including strict import controls and robust monitoring.
Local farms are regulated to use antibiotics only for disease treatment under veterinary oversight, not for growth promotion, and certain critical antibiotics are prohibited.
The government collaborates with health, research, and agri-food sectors to address antimicrobial resistance through a multi-sectoral approach.

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10 May 2023

Food Safety and Hygiene for Migrant Workers Staying in Dormitories

Miss Rachel Ong asked about plans to monitor food safety and hygiene for migrant workers in dormitories regulated under the Foreign Employee Dormitories Act.
MOM officers regularly inspect dormitories to ensure clean cooking areas, food from licensed sources, and proper storage to prevent contamination.
Dormitory operators must rectify lapses immediately, and MOM takes enforcement actions against errant operators.
Residents can report food issues via MOM’s FAST officers or the FWMOMCare mobile app.

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9 May 2023

Cases of Migrant Worker Dormitory Operators Falling Short of Expectations for Food Storage and Drop-off

Louis Ng asked the Ministry of Manpower about the number of dormitory operators found with inadequate food storage and drop-off points over the past five years.
The Ministry reported that in the past two years, nine operators were found not protecting food from contamination until collection.
All operators complied immediately with MOM's instructions to improve, such as providing sheltered drop-off points, and no enforcement action was needed.
Dormitory residents can report food issues to MOM via the Forward Assurance and Support Team or the FWMOMCare app, and MOM will follow up with operators or employers.
MOM noted that in serious or recalcitrant cases, it has and will take appropriate enforcement action.

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8 May 2023

Non-compliance with Safety Guidelines on Wearing of Mask or Spit Guard in Food Preparation

The Ministry has conducted multiple industry engagements and issued advisories through media statements and posters to remind food operators of the mask or spit guard requirement, with enforcement actions also publicized to raise awareness.
All food handlers in retail food establishments must pass the WSQ Food Safety Course Level 1, and this will extend to non-retail establishments from July 2023, with periodic refresher courses required for certification renewal.
The Ministry supports training by approving 79 providers for the WSQ Food Safety Course Level 1 and offers subsidies through SkillsFuture Singapore for eligible individuals and SMEs.

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21 Apr 2023

Proposal to Allow Hawkers above Age 60 to Hire One Foreign Worker to Help with Food Preparation

Dr Tan Yia Swam proposed allowing hawkers over 60 to hire one foreign worker for food preparation and to train them to preserve hawker culture.
The government maintains that only Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents may operate or work in NEA-managed hawker centres to protect the local identity of the culture.
To address manpower challenges, schemes like the enhanced Hawkers' Productivity Grant provide co-funding for automation and digital solutions to boost productivity.

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10 Apr 2023

Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment

The Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment is implementing the Singapore Green Plan 2030 to achieve net-zero emissions, raise the carbon tax to $50–80 per tonne by 2030, and support households and businesses in reducing their carbon footprint.
The government is enhancing climate adaptation by investing in flood control, coastal protection, and urban heat mitigation measures, while increasing food resilience through local production and diversified imports.
Singapore is promoting a circular economy via the Extended Producer Responsibility framework and advancing waste reduction and sustainable production practices across industries.

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20 Mar 2023

Disruption to Food Supply Chain from Floods in Malaysia

Miss Cheng Li Hui asked whether floods in Malaysia would disrupt Singapore's food import supply chain.
The Minister for Sustainability and the Environment, Grace Fu, stated that no disruptions to food supply have been detected.
The response confirmed that current conditions have not affected the flow of food imports from Malaysia.

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20 Mar 2023

Number of Hawkers Exiting Trade and How Many Were Due to Impact of Inflation

Leon Perera asked the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment about the number of hawkers exiting the trade in 2022 and the impact of inflation on these exits.
Grace Fu Hai Yien replied that there were 342 cooked food stall tenancy terminations in 2022 in hawker centres managed by the National Environment Agency (NEA) or its appointed operators, averaging 29 per month.
This monthly average is comparable to the pre-COVID-19 period from 2017 to 2019, which had an average of 30 terminations per month.
The vacancy rates in NEA-managed or operator-managed hawker centres have remained low and stable.
The response did not explicitly quantify the specific impact of inflation on hawker exits, focusing instead on overall termination numbers and trends.

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6 Mar 2023

Extent of Threat of Global Avian Flu to Local Poultry and Egg Supply

The global avian flu situation, specifically High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza (HPAI), poses a moderate threat to Singapore's local poultry and egg supply, as the country imports over 90% of its food and cannot be fully insulated from disease outbreaks in source countries.
The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) monitors HPAI outbreaks globally and suspends import sources with outbreaks, but has not recalled any poultry products due to HPAI in the past three years.
SFA and National Parks Board mitigate potential supply impacts through source diversification, and consumers are encouraged to be flexible with food options during disruptions.
No specific number of recalls or suspensions of poultry products was provided by the Minister, only that no recalls due to HPAI have occurred.

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6 Mar 2023

Chicken Meat Products from Indonesia and Plans to Streamline Import Processes

Nadia Ahmad Samdin asked about the proportion of chicken meat from Indonesia after its 2022 export approval and plans to streamline import processes for other meat-exporting countries.
The Singapore Food Agency accredited Indonesia as a source for chilled, frozen, and processed chicken meat in June 2022, but import volumes will take time to grow.
SFA’s regulatory processes ensure food safety and there are currently no plans to change them, though efforts continue to diversify protein import sources.

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2 Mar 2023

Committee of Supply – Head L (Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment)

The Ministry outlined Singapore's climate-friendly initiatives, including the Green Plan 2030, public sector net-zero targets, and enhanced green procurement policies starting 2024, alongside support for businesses and households to adopt energy-efficient practices and appliances.
Efforts to build a zero-waste nation were detailed, such as the e-waste collection scheme, a mandatory disposable carrier bag charge from July 2023, and a beverage container return scheme, alongside plans to preserve and upgrade hawker centres while ensuring affordable food.
The Ministry emphasized strengthening climate resilience, focusing on food security through the "30 by 30" goal, aquaculture development, coastal and flood protection research, and community initiatives like the Green Action for Communities movement and Project Wolbachia to combat dengue.

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22 Feb 2023

Plans to Expedite Construction of Hawker Centres in Constituencies with No Hawker Centre

Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim asked whether there are plans to prioritise and expedite the construction of hawker centres in constituencies that currently lack one.
Grace Fu Hai Yien stated that the Government had previously announced plans to build 20 new hawker centres, with site selection based on residential demand, availability of comparable F&B options, and compatibility with nearby land use.
She noted that new centres have been opened, including Bukit Canberra Hawker Centre in December 2022, with nine more remaining in integrated developments at various stages.
The National Environment Agency is working with relevant agencies to ensure the timely completion of these remaining hawker centres.

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22 Feb 2023

Training for Operators and Owners of Coffee Shops and Hawker Stalls on Cleaning and Maintenance of Kitchen Exhaust Ducts

Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim asked if the National Environment Agency (NEA) would require coffee shop and hawker stall operators to clean and maintain kitchen exhaust ducts at least twice a year, especially for heavy-cooking stalls.
Grace Fu Hai Yien stated that current regulations require all foodshop and foodstall operators to keep kitchen exhaust ducts clean, properly maintained, and in good working order.
She added that the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) conducts regular inspections and takes enforcement action against non-compliance.

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14 Feb 2023

Sustainability of Tray and Crockery Return Movements at Hawker Centres, Coffee Shops and Food Courts

The average Tray and Crockery Return Rate (TCRR) at hawker centres, coffee shops, and food courts has remained at around 90%, with the National Environment Agency (NEA) and Singapore Food Agency (SFA) conducting targeted checks to ensure cleanliness.
Enforcement measures include advice from officers, written warnings, and composition fines for repeat offenders, with efforts to collaborate with Town Councils, hawker associations, and stallholders to encourage compliance.
The Ministry will continue monitoring the situation and consider reviewing enforcement officer deployment or firmer actions if needed, while emphasising the goal of entrenching tray return as a social norm.

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7 Feb 2023

Impact of Anticipated Drought and Bushfires in Australia on Singapore's Food Import

Miss Rachel Ong asked how anticipated drought and bushfires in Australia could affect Singapore's food imports from the country and what mitigation measures exist.
Minister Gan Kim Yong stated that Australia’s agricultural export outlook for 2023 remains strong, but climate change may cause global food supply disruptions.
Singapore mitigates such risks through import diversification from over 180 countries, stockpiling, and developing local agri-food production.
Given over 90% of Singapore’s food is imported, the government encourages consumer flexibility and industry contingency planning.
The government emphasizes that while strategies reduce vulnerability, Singapore cannot fully insulate itself from supply chain disruptions.

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10 Jan 2023

Rise in Prices of Popular Food Items in View of Lunar New Year

Melvin Yong Yik Chye questioned whether prices of popular food items like seafood and poultry will rise significantly during Lunar New Year and if more public education will be done to encourage buying from non-traditional sources.
Grace Fu Hai Yien explained that food prices are influenced by supply and demand, with inflationary pressures from rising costs, global disruptions, and higher festive demand expected to push prices up.
She noted that the Singapore Food Agency has been promoting public communications and alternative food sources, and will continue to encourage flexibility in food types and forms.

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10 Jan 2023

Feasibility of Seaweed Production in Singapore’s Waters

The government is currently prioritizing high-demand, resource-efficient food items for its "30 by 30" agri-food strategy and has no plans to allocate sea space for seaweed production, though it is open to industry proposals on new food types that align with the goal.
The Senior Minister of State noted that local demand for seaweed is low compared to staples like vegetables, and commercial viability is a key consideration, as industry interest may be limited by market size.
Concerns were raised about the feasibility of seaweed cultivation due to Singapore's unique water conditions, biodiversity, and potential ecosystem impacts, requiring careful study before any experimentation.
The government emphasized the need for thorough ecological assessments to ensure that introducing seaweed cultivation does not harm local marine biodiversity or create unintended environmental problems.
While acknowledging global experimentation with seaweed for emissions reduction and biodiversity benefits, the government stressed that proposals must be commercially viable and nutritionally aligned with local goals.

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9 Jan 2023

Increasing Supply of Fresh Chickens from Malaysia or Indonesia in View of Higher Demand during Festive Seasons

Joan Pereira asked whether there are efforts to increase fresh chicken supply from Malaysia or Indonesia during festive seasons and if these efforts can keep prices stable.
Grace Fu highlighted Singapore's heavy reliance on imported food and noted importers stock up early to meet festive demand while SFA accredits new chicken sources to ensure supply stability.
She emphasized that chicken prices are influenced by global market forces, including geopolitical issues and supply chain disruptions, and encouraged consumers to consider alternatives like frozen or processed chicken.

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30 Nov 2022

Target Timeline for Import, Sale and Farming of Insects for Human Consumption

The Ministry for Sustainability and the Environment was asked about the target timeline for allowing the import and sale of insects as human food and for issuing licenses for domestic insect farming.
The Singapore Food Agency is currently conducting a public consultation on the regulatory framework for insect products, ending on 4 December 2022.
SFA will consider feedback from the consultation and announce details once ready, which will depend on industry readiness and consumer acceptance.

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29 Nov 2022

Requirement and Regulation of Food Caterers for Migrant Workers in Small Dormitories with Less Than 1,000 Beds

Miss Rachel Ong asked whether pre-packed food for migrant workers in small dormitories must be time-stamped, how such rules are monitored, and if food caterers will be regulated under the Foreign Employee Dormitories Act from 1 April 2023.
Minister Tan See Leng confirmed that all catered food from licensed establishments, including pre-packed meals, must be time-stamped with the date and time for safe consumption.
Dormitory operators, regardless of size, are required to only buy food from licensed catering establishments, and from 1 April 2023, the Act will require operators of dormitories with seven or more beds to protect catered food from contamination until collection.
MOM's FAST teams conduct regular inspections and engage workers to address issues, and residents can report food concerns to employers, FAST, or via the FWMOMCare app, with MOM following up on reports.

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