Food & agriculture — Topics

24 Feb 2021

Efforts to Encourage Food Sustainability Habits and Reduce Food Wastage in Wet Markets and Hawker Centres

The Ministry and NEA are running public education campaigns to promote habits like buying only what can be finished and requesting smaller portions to reduce food waste at its source.
Food retail establishments are encouraged to follow the NEA’s Food Waste Minimisation Guidebook, which includes inventory management and proper food storage to prevent spoilage.
Since 2017, new hawker centres have been equipped with food waste digesters, and existing centres with available space are being progressively fitted with them to convert food waste into non-potable water or compost.
Ten hawker centres, including four co-located with markets, now have digesters, with five more to be added this year, reducing waste sent to incineration and lowering carbon emissions.
NEA is funding R&D projects, such as a pilot at East Coast Lagoon Food Village, to develop technologies that convert food waste into biogas for electricity generation, further closing the food waste loop.

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16 Feb 2021

Product Labelling on Packaged Food with Meat from Animals that have Consumed Ractopamine in Their Feed

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2 Feb 2021

Efforts to Diversify Food Supplies to Ensure Price Stability of Goods over Chinese New Year Period Due to Disruptions from Movement Control Order and Floods in Malaysia

The Minister acknowledged disruptions from Malaysia's Movement Control Order 2.0 and monsoon floods affecting vegetable prices, while noting the government is monitoring logistics impacts.
A multi-pronged strategy was outlined, including advance planning by retailers to stock alternative produce from various source countries to ensure availability over Chinese New Year.
Singapore continues to diversify food imports from over 170 countries, such as eggs from Ukraine, frozen shrimp from Saudi Arabia, and vegetables from China, to mitigate supply risks.
The government seeks public understanding as extraordinary times may lead to minor disruptions or price volatility despite efforts to protect essential food supplies and maintain stability.

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2 Feb 2021

Study on Presence of Microplastic in Seafood from Kelongs in Singapore Waters

Mr Louis Ng asked whether the Ministry has studied microplastics in seafood from local kelongs, what the results are, and if not, why not and whether it plans to do so.
Grace Fu responded that microplastics are a global concern but current scientific assessments indicate low human health risks from them.
The Singapore Food Agency is developing testing methods and conducting surveys on food products to gather baseline data, with findings expected in about two years.
The Ministry will continue monitoring international developments before deciding on specific studies for seafood from Singapore waters.
Efforts to prevent and reduce marine plastic debris through pollution management will continue with stakeholders.

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1 Feb 2021

Educating Food Stall Owners and Customers on Use of Reusable Containers to Ensure Hygiene and Prevent Spread of COVID-19

The Ministry stated there is no evidence of COVID-19 transmission via food or receptacles, but emphasized joint responsibility for hygiene, safe distancing, and safe management measures in all food establishments.
The National Environment Agency and Singapore Food Agency have issued advisories, engaged food operators, and introduced sanitation checklists that led to the SG Clean Quality Mark for over 23,000 food establishments.
Customers are reminded to clean their reusable containers before use, observe personal hygiene, and properly dispose of litter or return trays to maintain a clean environment.

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1 Feb 2021

Continued Vibrancy and Sustainability of Singapore’s Hawker Culture

The Ministry highlights long-term priorities to sustain Singapore’s hawker culture, focusing on addressing manpower constraints through productivity measures like centralised dishwashing and automation subsidies.
Initiatives are in place to attract new hawkers by keeping rents reasonable, offering incubation stalls, and providing training through apprenticeships and a succession scheme for retiring veterans.
New hawker centres are designed with improved infrastructure, including larger stalls, better ventilation, family-friendly amenities, and provisions for automated systems to support sustainability and hygiene.

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4 Jan 2021

Checks on Hygiene of Food Stalls and Catering Licensees

SFA conducts routine and ad hoc inspections on food stalls and caterers, with frequency based on risk profiles, and conducted over 47,000 inspections from April 2019 to March 2020.
During the circuit breaker, inspections temporarily decreased due to closures but resumed usual frequency afterward, with engagement efforts and hygiene checklists maintained to uphold food safety.
When breaches occur, SFA informs licensees of corrective actions; suspension requires food handlers and hygiene officers to re-attend and pass training courses before resuming work, followed by re-inspection.
The Ministry is considering guidelines to display food hygiene grades on delivery platforms and whether to regulate delivery riders under the Food Hygiene Recognition Scheme.

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4 Nov 2020

HDB Rooftop Farming in Support of Singapore's "30 by 30" Food Sustainability Goal

Murali Pillai inquired about the number of HDB rooftop farming sites to be established, their expected yield, and whether community engagement will be a tender requirement.
Grace Fu outlined Singapore’s "30 by 30" goal to produce 30% of nutritional needs by 2030, with HDB rooftops among alternative spaces for commercial urban farming.
The first tender for nine Multi-Storey Carpark sites yielded up to 1,600 tonnes of vegetables annually, with a second tender planned and more sites to be identified based on industry interest.
Urban farming on HDB rooftops supports food security, provides community benefits like employment, and encourages public support for local produce due to its freshness and sustainability.
The government calls for public support in purchasing local produce to achieve the "30 by 30" goal and reduce carbon miles.

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2 Nov 2020

Maximum Residue Limits for Ractopamine in Meat Imported into Singapore

Dennis Tan asked for the rationale behind Singapore’s revised maximum residue limits for ractopamine in imported meat, the health risks for vulnerable groups, and why SFA is not concerned about ractopamine being banned in other countries.
Grace Fu explained that SFA aligns its standards with Codex Alimentarius, which is based on JECFA’s comprehensive safety assessments that conclude ractopamine is safe within regulated limits, even over long-term consumption.
She noted that while some countries ban ractopamine, many developed nations like Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, and Canada adopt similar limits, and SFA will continue monitoring scientific developments to ensure public health safety.

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5 Oct 2020

Plans to Review and Upgrade Wet Markets in Towns Growing in Size

Sharael Taha asked about the criteria for determining the number and size of wet markets in towns and whether there are plans to review and upgrade them as towns grow.
Grace Fu Hai Yien explained that most wet markets were built between 1967 and 1985 to resettle street hawkers, but consumer trends have shifted due to demographics and alternatives like supermarkets and online retailers, leading to declining popularity.
Upgrades under the Hawker Centres Upgrading Programme (2001–2013) removed vacated stalls to improve space, and new hawker centres focus on cooked food stalls to address affordable eating options.
New market construction or expansion is considered only with strong demand or shortage of alternatives to ensure viability, as new markets like Jurong West have not fared well.
Future markets must evolve to meet consumer needs, with the NEA monitoring the situation and collaborating with agencies and communities to ensure residents' needs are met.

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4 Sep 2020

Proposal to Bring Forward Schedule for Building Hawker Centre in Bukit Batok HDB Town

Murali Pillai proposed accelerating the construction of the Bukit Batok hawker centre from the 2027 schedule to address population growth and stabilize local food prices.
Grace Fu Hai Yien explained that the hawker centre is planned to be co-located with assisted living flats, with timelines coordinated between NEA and HDB.
She added that further details and completion dates will be announced once finalized, and engagement with the local adviser will continue.
The Ministry noted that new coffee shops have already been added by HDB alongside new flats to meet residents’ dining needs.

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4 Sep 2020

Local-Foreign Employment in Local Food Production Sector

The Minister reported that slightly more than half of workers in the local agri-food sector are locals as of June 2020, with most foreign workers in semi-skilled roles due to labour-intensive conventional farming methods.
The Ministry aims to achieve the "30 by 30" goal of producing 30% of nutritional needs locally by 2030 through technological transformation, which will create higher-value jobs requiring skilled workers.
Initiatives like the $63 million Agriculture Productivity Fund and the "30 by 30 Express" Grant Call support farms in adopting new technologies to boost productivity and innovation.
The Ministry collaborates with Institutes of Higher Learning to offer training programmes and internships, such as diplomas in aquaculture technology and the SGUnited Skills programme, to build a pipeline of local talent for the sector.
The overall strategy is to upskill the workforce and attract more Singaporeans into modern farming roles to ensure food security and reduce reliance on foreign labour.

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4 Sep 2020

Criteria for Setting Up Hawker Centres and Wet Markets

The Government announced in 2011 and 2015 plans to build 20 new hawker centres, with seven operational and ten expected by 2027, focusing on new or underserved estates to ensure affordable food access.
The National Environment Agency assesses hawker centre needs based on town-wide geographical areas and populations, considering residential catchment, F&B options, accessibility, and co-location with amenities or transport nodes.
New hawker centres generally do not include wet market sections due to the availability of alternative fresh produce options and the need for sufficient scale and broader catchment to be viable.

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24 Aug 2020

Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment

The Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment will prioritize environmental public health resilience, food security, and job creation in response to COVID-19, including initiatives like the "30x30 Express" grant and hiring for safe distancing roles.
Long-term plans include combating climate change through a green recovery, investing in climate science research, and protecting against rising sea levels, with programs such as the National Sea Level Research Programme and the Coastal and Flood Protection Fund.
Singapore will enhance water security by expanding the Changi NEWater Factory and implementing smart meters, and improve food security by diversifying imports and achieving the "30 by 30" goal for local food production.
The ministry is committed to a zero-waste nation via circular economy approaches, transforming waste into resources like NEWSand and NEWOil, and mandating recycling for key waste streams to reduce vulnerability to global shocks.
MSE aims to create 4,000 new and upgraded jobs in the next year and 55,000 over 10 years in sustainability sectors, while engaging the public through initiatives like the $50 million SG Eco Fund to foster collaborative environmental solutions.

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5 Jun 2020

Disease-testing for Wild-caught Soft-shelled Turtles Imported for Consumption

Louis Ng asked about disease-testing requirements, test numbers, positive results, and data collection for wild-caught soft-shelled turtles imported for consumption over the past five years.
The Singapore Food Agency stated it uses a science-based risk assessment and does not test live turtles for diseases, but conducts random testing of turtle meat products for pathogens like Shigella and Vibrio cholerae.
Over the past five years, 63 turtle meat samples were tested via 129 lab tests, with all results negative for foodborne pathogens and no associated outbreaks reported.
SFA plans to maintain vigilance and may tighten food safety requirements, while emphasizing shared responsibility between industry, consumers, and the government.

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4 Jun 2020

Possible Review of “30 by 30 Vision” to Produce 30% of Singapore's Food Needs Locally by 2030

Seah Kian Peng asked the Minister for the Environment and Water Resources about potential plans to review the "30 by 30" goal to produce 30% of Singapore's nutritional needs locally by 2030.
Minister Masagos Zulkifli affirmed the goal's importance for food security, especially in light of COVID-19 disruptions, and stated there are no plans for a review as it remains an ambitious but necessary target.
The Ministry is accelerating local food production through initiatives like the "30 by 30 Express" grant and a ministerial taskforce to support farms, aiming to boost output of eggs, leafy vegetables, and fish in the short term.
The government is promoting consumer support for local produce with a new logo, retailer collaborations, and a Citizens' Workgroup to co-create ideas for increasing demand.
The strategy recognizes that local production is part of a broader food resilience plan and cannot achieve full self-sufficiency for all food types, which are sourced from over 170 countries.

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5 May 2020

Proposal to Ban Display, Slaughter and Sale of Wild-caught Soft-shelled Turtles at Wet Markets

The Ministry of State for Environment and Water Resources stated that while the sale of wild-caught soft-shelled turtles in wet markets is allowed under existing regulations, agencies are reviewing the practice due to low but present zoonotic disease risks, with no detected infringements to date.
MP Louis Ng argued for a ban, emphasizing the unnecessary risk of zoonotic diseases like Salmonella in wild-caught turtles, drawing parallels to the origins of COVID-19 and questioning the alignment with NParks' stance on pet turtles.
The Minister confirmed that NParks and the SFA collaborate on regulations, including CITES compliance and food safety, and are conducting a review to improve standards, with public feedback encouraged on non-compliant vendors.

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5 May 2020

Closure of Stalls at Hawker Centres due to Drop in Business during COVID-19 Circuit Breaker Period

About 20% to 30% of cooked food stallholders in hawker centres did not operate during the Circuit Breaker due to reduced business, with support provided through rental waivers and subsidies for cleaning services.
The government has introduced initiatives like the Food Delivery Booster Package and a $500 one-off funding to help hawkers adopt food delivery, with 600 applications received and the funding extended until June 2020.
Hawkerring platforms and ground-up initiatives such as Hawkers United are being promoted to provide delivery options, with the government also working to create an information package to guide hawkers on available services.
Long-term plans include engaging food delivery companies to adapt models for hawker centres, offering skills development programmes, and encouraging public support for hawkers through patronage and delivery services.

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26 Mar 2020

Proposal to Provide a Set of Guidelines and Encourage Hawkers to Refrain from Practices that Cause Contamination Risks

Joan Pereira proposed guidelines and encouragement for hawkers to avoid contamination risks as part of the SG Clean campaign.
Masagos Zulkifli outlined existing regulations, hygiene courses, and NEA/SFA initiatives like checklists and the SG Clean quality mark to uphold food safety.
He emphasized community responsibility, promoting the "7 Habits of Good Public Hygiene" to combat COVID-19 and maintain public cleanliness.

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4 Mar 2020

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

Parliament debated Singapore's environmental and water resources, focusing on climate change mitigation, adaptation strategies, and community engagement, with the Minister outlining enhanced carbon tax commitments, new coastal protection agency under PUB, and a $5 billion Coastal and Flood Protection Fund.
Key initiatives included reducing hydrofluorocarbon emissions, expanding solar energy projects like floating solar systems at reservoirs, and promoting food security through the "30 by 30" goal to produce 30% of nutritional needs locally by 2030 via technological innovation and sustainable farming.
Discussions addressed waste management through the Zero Waste Masterplan and Extended Producer Responsibility schemes for e-waste and packaging, alongside dengue control measures like Project Wolbachia and public hygiene campaigns amid COVID-19.

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