Food & agriculture — Topics

19 Sep 2023

Help Measures for Households and Businesses Given Continued Rise in Food and Fuel Prices

The Minister of State for Trade and Industry outlined that inflation in Singapore has eased, with CPI-All Items inflation at 4.1% in July, and is expected to average 4.5% to 5.5% for the full year, though upside risks remain from global shocks and commodity prices.
The government has implemented a multi-pronged approach to support households and businesses, including the Assurance Package for cost-of-living support, enhanced financing schemes for businesses, and energy efficiency grants to mitigate rising costs.
To address rising rice prices due to export bans and supply issues, the government has diversified food import sources, strengthened local production, and secured waivers from India for rice imports, while encouraging consumers to use tools like the Price Kaki app for price comparisons and consider alternative rice varieties.
Monetary policy remains focused on maintaining a strong Singapore dollar to dampen imported inflation, with the Monetary Authority of Singapore set to review its stance in October.
Officials emphasized continued monitoring of inflation trends and readiness to provide further support to Singaporeans and businesses if necessary.

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18 Sep 2023

Payment of Land Costs for New Hawker Centres Built

Leong Mun Wai asked whether land costs for new hawker centres are paid into past reserves, the total amount paid in the last decade, and if land cost affects the frequency and location of new centres.
Grace Fu Hai Yien clarified that standalone hawker centres are built on state land used by the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment, so no land cost is paid into past reserves as there is no disposal.
For hawker centres in integrated developments, the ministry pays rent to the land or building owner.
Land cost is not a factor in deciding how many new hawker centres are built or where they are located; decisions are based on residential catchment and the availability of dining options.

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18 Sep 2023

Statistics on Hawkers Paying Market and Subsidised Rents

Leong Mun Wai asked for yearly statistics since 2010 on the number and percentage of hawkers paying market versus subsidised rents, as well as their median monthly rent.
Grace Fu Hai Yien stated that the percentage of hawkers paying subsidised rent has dropped from about 40% to 30% over the past decade due to retirements and new entrants.
Subsidised stallholders pay between $192 and $384 monthly based on upgrade works, while non-subsidised stalls have a stable median rent of about $1,250 per month over the last 10 years.

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18 Sep 2023

Measures to Mitigate Supply Disruptions from Recent Indian Rice Export Ban due to El Nino Wave

The Government has secured a waiver from India's rice export ban to protect Singapore's domestic food security, while maintaining a multi-pronged approach of diversifying import sources, local production, and stockpiling essential items.
Industry and consumers are encouraged to play their part by adopting business continuity plans and diversifying supplies, and by being flexible with food options during disruptions.
While the full impact of El Niño on food production is uncertain, the Government acknowledges that extreme weather events can affect global supplies and is prepared to mitigate such risks through existing measures.

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18 Sep 2023

Inspection of Catered Food Provided to Migrant Workers Living in Dormitories

Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked if the timings for migrant workers' lunch and dinner breaks are within four hours from when catered food is cooked.
The Ministry of Manpower conducts regular inspections on dormitories to ensure food safety measures and proper storage are in place.
No specific complaints have been received about food being consumed too long after preparation, but workers can report issues via FAST officers or the FWMOMCare app.
MOM will follow up with dormitory operators or employers to address issues and may refer serious food safety concerns to the Singapore Food Agency.

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18 Sep 2023

Checks on Farms that Supply Eggs to Singapore

SFA accredits and approves all overseas egg farms before they can export to Singapore, requiring them to meet food safety and animal health standards, including being free of Salmonella Enteritidis.
At import, eggs undergo inspection and testing, with any failed consignments barred from sale to ensure food safety.
SFA balances food security and safety by diversifying sources while subjecting all new sources to a robust regulatory regime.

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18 Sep 2023

Radiation Tests on Samples of Seafood Originating from Waters within 100-kilometre Radius of Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant

Mr Gerald Giam asked whether radiation tests have been conducted on seafood imports from within a 100 km radius of Fukushima, including tritium levels.
The Singapore Food Agency uses a science-based monitoring regime that includes radiation testing for radioactive contaminants.
Test results since the treated water discharge have met Singapore's safety requirements and are within international safe levels.
SFA will continue to monitor radiation levels in imported food closely.

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3 Aug 2023

Compensation for Hawkers and Market Stallholders Affected by Closures due to Repairs or Renovations

Chua Kheng Wee Louis asked the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment about the amount and basis of compensation for hawkers and market stallholders affected by closures due to repairs, redecoration, or renovations in MSE- and HDB-owned centres.
Hawker centres undergo cyclical Repairs and Redecoration every six to eight years, typically closing for two to three months, with affected stallholders given advance notice.
During closures, stallholders receive rental remission, and service and conservancy charges are waived for the duration.
The National Environment Agency assists stallholders who wish to apply for temporary stalls in other hawker centres during the closure period.
The response does not specify a fixed monetary compensation amount, focusing instead on rental remissions and charge waivers as the primary support measures.

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3 Aug 2023

Supporting Local Farms to Increase Demand and Reduce Wastage of Produce

Edward Chia asked how the Government plans to support local farms to increase demand and reduce wastage, including better collaboration with retailers to improve distribution and product displays.
Grace Fu responded that the Singapore Food Agency partners with the Singapore Agro-Food Enterprises Federation to boost demand for local produce through initiatives like the Alliance for Action.
The Alliance brings together stakeholders to develop solutions for raising demand and supports the Farm-to-Table Recognition Programme, which awards logos to businesses using locally farmed produce.
These efforts aim to help consumers identify and support establishments that use local ingredients, ultimately enhancing Singapore’s food security.

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3 Aug 2023

Safety of Seafood Imports Following Release of Treated Wastewater from Fukushima Nuclear Plant

The Ministry and Singapore Food Agency are maintaining a science-based, risk-focused approach to radiation surveillance and food safety, with strict testing for imports including those from Japan, and will not allow any products that fail inspections to be sold.
The National Environment Agency assesses that the treated wastewater release from Fukushima is unlikely to affect Singapore’s surrounding waters, with local radiation levels remaining within natural background norms as part of ongoing environmental monitoring.
Authorities will continue close monitoring, rely on international expertise such as from the IAEA, and adjust measures like increasing monitoring frequency or making radiation data public if deemed necessary for public interest.

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2 Aug 2023

Breaches of MUIS' Halal Certification by Licensed Food Importer

The Minister confirmed that the importer Yocorn Food Enterprise was not a MUIS halal-certified holder, but its director and company were fined $35,000 and $20,000 respectively under the Wholesome Meat and Fish Act for falsely labelling smoked duck as halal, though its import licence was not revoked.
MUIS has taken steps to prevent further breaches by instructing its certified food establishments not to purchase from Yocorn, increasing inspections of food outlets serving duck items, and reviewing its certification conditions to impose stricter measures on repeat violators.
Establishments with prior halal certification breaches face more frequent inspections and shorter certification validity upon recertification, while MUIS continues to investigate and enforce actions against reported or identified violations of its halal certification conditions.

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2 Aug 2023

Impact of Termination of Black Sea Grain Deal between Russia and Ukraine on Singapore's Economy and Mitigation Measures in Place

The Minister for Trade and Industry noted that the termination of the Black Sea grain deal is expected to have a manageable direct impact on Singapore’s economy due to Ukraine’s small share of grain imports.
The Government will monitor global food market effects and strengthen food supply resilience through diversification of import sources, local production, and stockpiling.
These measures aim to keep food prices in check and ensure stability despite disruptions from the deal’s expiry.

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2 Aug 2023

Support for Hawker Stall Operators Facing False Food Hygiene Complaints Adversely Impacting Their Reputations

The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) can enforce penalties under the Environmental Public Health Act for individuals who knowingly provide false or misleading information, with fines up to $10,000 or imprisonment for repeat offenders.
Hawker stall operators who suspect deliberate contamination or malicious intent in food complaints are advised to lodge a Police report to facilitate investigation.
The government acknowledges the adverse impact of false complaints on hawker stall operators’ reputations and highlights existing legal and police mechanisms to address such cases.

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6 Jul 2023

Data on Consumption Rate for Food Items not Included in Singapore Food Statistics

Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment whether the Singapore Food Agency collects data on the consumption rate of food items not included in its annual reports or the Singapore Food Statistics, what those items or categories are, and why they are not tracked if they are not.
The Singapore Food Agency’s Annual Report and Singapore Food Statistics track consumption of commonly consumed items such as hen shell eggs, chicken, pork, beef, mutton, seafood, vegetables, and fruits to inform food resilience strategies.
The Singapore Food Agency does not track the consumption rate of other food items that do not have a significant impact on food resilience.

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6 Jul 2023

Identifying Site for Potential Aquaculture Activities

The Singapore Food Agency works with other agencies to identify suitable sea space for aquaculture by assessing water quality, carrying capacity, and ecological receptors, and conducts environmental impact assessments (EIAs) with stakeholder engagement when needed.
The government is technology-agnostic regarding aquaculture methods, allowing operators to choose between systems like recirculating aquaculture systems or open-cage farming based on site suitability and business considerations, while promoting sustainable practices.
Public consultation and education are prioritized through initiatives like the Alliance for Action to integrate the local food value chain and raise consumer awareness, building support for Singapore’s food security goals.
EIAs are triggered if aquaculture activities are expected to significantly impact the environment, with ongoing monitoring and mitigation required; the process may be scoped down for individual operators within a pre-assessed suitable region to avoid being overly onerous.

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4 Jul 2023

Provision of Medical Insurance Coverage for Consumers as Licensing Condition for Food Caterers and Suppliers

Ms Hany Soh proposed requiring medical insurance for consumers as a licensing condition for food caterers, especially those serving vulnerable groups like children and the elderly, following gastroenteritis outbreaks.
Government agencies are collaborating to reduce gastroenteritis incidents, with a significant decrease in cases compared to the previous year.
The Ministry has no plans to mandate medical insurance for all caterers, citing increased compliance costs despite the industry's generally good track record.
Consumers can rely on existing healthcare subsidies, MediShield Life, and MediSave for medical expenses, including for children.
The response emphasizes that current measures and available financial support are sufficient without imposing additional licensing conditions.

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4 Jul 2023

Food-handling Guidelines for Catered Food for Migrant Workers Living in Dormitories

Louis Ng asked whether catered food for migrant workers in dormitories must follow SFA’s guidelines, how MOM works with SFA to ensure compliance, and what alternative guidelines apply if not.
The Minister responded that SFA’s guidelines are voluntary but recommend using licensed caterers, and dormitory operators must source from such caterers and ensure food is stored and delivered safely.
MOM conducts regular inspections of dormitories to enforce food safety measures and refers caterer-specific issues to SFA, while taking enforcement action against non-compliant operators or employers.
Migrant workers can report food-related concerns to MOM’s support teams or via the FWMOMCare app.

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4 Jul 2023

Increasing Size and Tenant Numbers at Wet Market at Pasir Ris Drive 4 and 6 due to Recent Increase in BTO Flats Launched

Sharael Taha proposed expanding the wet market at Pasir Ris Drive 4 and 6 and increasing hawker numbers due to new BTO flats bringing more residents.
Desmond Lee stated that HDB’s town and neighbourhood centre planning ensures most residents have shops within a 10-minute walk, including near the new Costa Grove BTO.
Future Costa Grove residents can access fresh produce from a supermarket at the town centre or a minimart within the BTO project.
Given existing shop and market provision, HDB has no plans to expand the Pasir Ris Drive 4 wet market but will monitor after the Pasir Ris 8 integrated development mall completes in 2024.

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3 Jul 2023

Update on Impact of Launch of Aquatic Animal Health Services

The Singapore Food Agency has completed a tender to engage an external vendor to launch the Aquatic Animal Health Services (AAHS) in the third quarter of 2023.
AAHS will aggregate services like veterinary consultations and diagnostics to help local farms strengthen biosecurity, prevent disease outbreaks, and adopt sustainable practices.
The agency will evaluate AAHS's impact using key indicators such as the frequency of disease outbreaks from common pathogens and fish mortality due to diseases in participating farms.

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3 Jul 2023

Request to Build Hawker Centre in Bishan to Provide Budget Meal Options

Chong Kee Hiong urged the National Environment Agency to build a hawker centre in Bishan to offer affordable budget meals amid inflation.
Grace Fu Hai Yien explained that the agency prioritizes new or underserved housing estates and requires sufficient residential and commercial customer bases for viability.
She noted Bishan already has existing food centres, coffee shops, and food courts, plus access to nearby hawker centres in Ang Mo Kio and Toa Payoh.
The government will continue to monitor and review the adequacy of food options in Bishan.

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