The Sale of Food in Singapore

The sale of food is a heavily regulated business activity in Singapore. In April 2013, four food outlets had their licences revoked and were also fined $3,000 for passing off beef as mutton.

The Sale of Food Act (SFA) is the main body of law setting out the applicable food sale standards in Singapore. Offences relating to food sales include the selling of:

1. Adulterated food (section 25 of the SFA provides for a definition for “adulteration”)
2. Food containing substances prohibited by regulations under the SFA
3. Food containing more than a permitted amount of alcohol
4. Food unfit for human consumption
5. Food packaged without adequate labelling (i.e containing adequate descriptions)
6. Food that has been labelled falsely
7. Food that is not of the quality or nature demanded by the purchaser
8. Food prepared under unsanitary conditions

Operation of Food Outlets Without a Licence

Food outlet operators are also guilty of an offence if they operate without a licence. People with infectious diseases are not allowed to carry on the business of selling food, such as in restaurants.

Food transporters are also under a statutory duty to maintain the cleanliness of their vehicles.

Penalties for Committing an Offence under the Sale of Food Act

Under section 49 of the SFA, a party found guilty of any offence will generally be liable to a fine not exceeding $5,000 and, in the case of a second or subsequent conviction, to a fine not exceeding $10,000 or up to 3 months’ imprisonment, or to both.

The National Environment Agency is the primary regulatory body overseeing food hygiene and hawker standards in Singapore. More information on the sale of food and hawker regulatory standards may be found at its website.