Traders who are registered or licensed by SFA to import food for commercial sale in Singapore are advised to check on the requirements.  Please refer to our FAQ ‘How do I import food for commercial sale’ on the main steps for importing food for sale'.

Novel food comprises food or food ingredients that do not have a history of human consumption over the past 20 years. It also includes traditionally consumed food ingredients produced through advances in technology (e.g. production of proteins through precision fermentation).

SFA has a Novel Food Regulatory Framework in place to ensure that only novel food which is safe for human consumption can be manufactured, imported, distributed, or sold in Singapore.

Anyone who wants to farm, manufacture, distribute or sell novel food in Singapore must ensure that the novel food has pre-market approval. From 28 November 2025, Parts 5 and 8 Food Safety and Security Act (FSSA) make it an offence to supply in Singapore any defined food, to handle food intended for supply in a way that will or is likely to make the food a defined food, or to produce primary produce that is a defined food.

Traders must comply with the following import requirements for novel food:

• Step 1: Review the information listed in the Second Schedule to the Food Safety and Security (FSSA Authorisations — Administration) Regulations 2025 that must be submitted to SFA. 

• Step 2: Consult SFA

• Step 3: Conduct safety assessments

• Step 4: Complete self-assessments

• Step 5: Submit your application

• Step 6: SFA reviews your application

• Step 7: Receive outcome of application

Please refer to How do I comply with the import requirements for Novel Food for the details.