The manufacture, import and sale of food products in Singapore are governed by the Sale of Food Act 2002 and the Food Regulations 2006, administered by its national food safety authority, the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA). The Sale of Food Act 2002 defines food, prohibits the sale of foods which are contaminated, unsafe or unfit for human consumption, as well as prepacked foods which are not properly labelled or labelled in a misleading manner. It also prohibits use of food appliances which are dangerous or injurious to health. The Act also requires food manufacturers in Singapore to be licensed. In the Act, “food” includes drinks, chewing gum and other products of a like nature and use, and articles and substances used as ingredients in the preparation of food or drink or of such products, but does not include live animals or birds, animal feed and drugs.

The Food Regulations 2006 stipulate food safety and specification standards, permitted additives and their maximum limits; tolerable limits for chemical residues; as well as standards for labelling and advertising. The Regulations are formulated based on recommendations by the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC), the international food standards body, and food safety authorities of major developed countries, and are in line with international guidelines. AVA reviews the Regulations regularly to ensure that they continue to be up-to-date, in line with international practice and adequate to safeguard public health.