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Updated by SFA Food businesses have the responsibility to ensure that the food they sell in Singapore comply with the Sale of Food Act and its subsidiary legislation, the Food Regulations, and are labelled in accordance with the requirements of the said legislation. There is no need for food businesses to submit food labels and advertisements to SFA for approval.
The Sale of Food Act and its Food Regulations prohibit the use of claims that are false and misleading. Unless specifically allowed by the Regulations, the following claims are prohibited from use on food:
a. claims to suggest that a food has therapeutic or prophylactic action;
b. claims that a food can prevent, alleviate or cure any disease or condition affecting the human body; that health or improved physical condition may be achieved by consuming the food; and
c. claims that may be interpreted as advice of a medical nature from any person.
With effect from 30 January 2026, in addition to the above prohibited claims, the following claims or suggestions that may undermine the safety of other similar foods will be prohibited:
a. claim / suggestion that other food is unsafe for consumption;
b. claim / suggestion that an ingredient permitted by the Food Regulations in food is unsafe for consumption;
c. claim / suggestion that the food does not contain a food additive that is not permitted by the Food Regulations;
d. claim / suggestion that the food does not contain any substance prohibited from use in food under the Food Regulations.
For further details on the new labelling requirements, please refer to SFA’s website (Under the section “What are the labelling requirements”, look for the briefing deck “Amendments to Labelling Requirements for Prepacked Food.”).
For the use of other claims, food businesses must ensure that the food meets the respective requirements specified under the Food Regulations and that they maintain evidence to support the validity of the claims made. SFA may require food businesses to provide substantiation for the labelling information and claims made on the food during our compliance checks.
To help food businesses comply with the labelling requirements, SFA has made available A Guide to Food Labelling and Advertisements, which serves as a useful resource for food businesses on how to comply with the labelling requirements for prepacked food. Food businesses may also wish to engage the services of any of the appointed food labelling consultants listed on SFA’s website under “What if I need help with my labels?”) for consultation services. Please note that consultancy fees may apply depending on services provided.
Can I send my food label / advertisement to SFA for vetting?
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