Healthier Foods and Artificial Sweeteners

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament

Mr Chong Kee Hiong
MP for Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC 

Question No. 1427 

To ask the Minister for Health (a) what are the main reasons for many healthier foods to be more expensive than unhealthy foods despite healthier foods requiring less processing than unhealthy foods; and (b) whether there will be public education campaigns to (i) help people understand and manage their calorie intake (ii) increase public awareness of lower sugar choices in the food types commonly consumed by Singaporeans and the problems of artificial sweeteners and (iii) educate consumers how to eat healthier without incurring higher food bills.
 

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament

Dr Chia Shi-Lu
MP for Tanjong Pagar GRC

Question No. 1431

To ask the Minister for Health in view of the growing body of research about the downsides and potential risks of artificial sweeteners, whether the Ministry will be updating its advisories to vulnerable groups, patients and in their public education communications.
 

Written Reply 

1        The Health Promotion Board (HPB) introduced the Healthier Choice Symbol (HCS) to help consumers identify healthier food products.  Ingredients and food products labelled with the HCS logo have been well-received by consumers.  In a 2015 survey by HPB, 70% of Singaporeans recognize the HCS logo and have used it to make healthier food choices.  The market share of HCS products have also increased from 15% in 2012 to 18% in 2016.  There are currently about 3,500 food products with the HCS logo, spanning 70 food and drinks categories. 

2        There are ways to eat healthily without buying expensive food.  For example, we can choose foods with less oil and salt, or drinks with less sugar or no sugar.  NTUC Foodfare sells its pre-packaged drinks with the HCS logo at 10 cents cheaper to encourage more consumers to choose these healthier options.  HPB has developed lower cost healthier recipes which are shared with the community through partners such as the Diabetic Society of Singapore, TOUCH Community Services and NTUC SilverACE. 

3        HPB has also introduced the Healthier Ingredient Development Scheme (HIDS) and the Healthier Dining Programme (HDP) to support industry players to provide healthier ingredients and products, to increase the supply and variety of healthier food options for consumers. 

4        Since December 2016, the HDP has been extended to hawker centres and coffeeshops, where lower-calorie meals are tagged with a “lower in calories” label.  HPB has also implemented various public education initiatives, such as the calorie literacy initiative – ‘My Healthy Plate’ and the Eat Drink Shop Healthy Campaign to reward consumers when they choose healthier options. 

5        On artificial sweeteners, there is consensus amongst international health authorities and medical professionals that such sweeteners can be used as part of a balanced diet to help a gradual shift away from high sugar food and beverages.  However, the sale of artificially sweetened food and beverages is not allowed in schools in Singapore as we want to prevent children from developing a habit of consuming sweet-tasting food and drinks.  This complements our healthy meals programme in schools which promotes the drinking of plain water.  

6        There is now a growing variety of healthier sugars available for product formulation, such as those derived from natural sources like beetroot.  They do not increase blood sugar levels as much as conventional sugars like sucrose and fructose.  The Ministry of Health is working with the F&B industry to explore the use of these natural sweeteners as part of their product innovation. 

7        We will continue our efforts to raise public awareness and foster a supportive environment for consumers to make healthier food and beverage choices, and to keep Singaporeans healthy and active.