Legislation to regulate emerging foods and boost food security
ingapore is set to introduce a new Food Safety and Security Bill, aiming to provide greater clarity on the regulatory frameworks for emerging food technologies such as cultivated meat and gene-edited crops. The bill will also give the government legal powers to better ensure the country’s food security, including the establishment of rice stockpiling schemes.
Minister for Sustainability and the Environment, Grace Fu, revealed the updates during the opening of the relocated National Centre for Food Science (NCFS) in Jurong East on October 27. The Bill will consolidate food-related provisions from eight existing Acts into one, such as the Wholesome Meat and Fish Act and the Sale of Food Act. Though the exact timeline for the Bill’s introduction remains uncertain, Fu mentioned that the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) would consult with industry stakeholders to enhance food safety systems.
The Food Safety and Security Bill was first mentioned in Parliament in March 2021, with plans for its introduction soon thereafter. Additionally, the NCFS’s relocation aims to streamline operations, improve accessibility for food inspectors, and foster better collaborations within the food industry.
The NCFS plays a crucial role in food safety, handling foodborne disease outbreaks, and testing for contaminants, including monitoring seafood for potential radioactive traces from Japan’s Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant. Recent advancements in the centre’s capabilities include whole genome sequencing to identify contamination sources and rapidly detect biological, chemical, and radiological hazards.
The centre’s work is vital to maintaining high standards of food safety and ensuring Singapore’s food security, as it prepares to serve as a World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centre for Food Contamination Monitoring.
