POSSIBILITY OF REGULATING ULTRA-PROCESSED FOOD FOR HEALTHIER FOOD ENVIRONMENT

NOTICE PAPER NO. 2447
NOTICE OF QUESTION FOR WRITTEN ANSWER
FOR THE SITTING OF PARLIAMENT ON OR AFTER 10 JANUARY 2024

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament
Mr Murali Pillai
MP for Bukit Batok

Question No. 5284

To ask the Minister for Health in view of published studies that link ultra-processed food to poorer mental and physical health outcomes, whether the Government will consider introducing regulation to tackle this issue and promote a healthier food environment.

Answer

1        Processed foods, and especially ultra-processed foods (UPFs), are associated with poor nutritional characteristics, higher energy density; higher sugar, salt and saturated fat content; lower fibre and vitamin content, and hence adverse health impact.

2        Currently, there are no international medical or dietary recommendations on the intake of UPFs. Singapore has also not introduced legislation targeting UPFs.

3        Nevertheless, the Health Promotion Board has implemented measures to encourage healthier eating, and to consume less saturated fats, sugar and salt. The measures include the Healthier Choice Symbol, Nutri-Grade marks for pre-packaged and freshly prepared beverages, promotion of low sodium salt, and prohibition of partially hydrogenated oils. If effective, it will cut down the consumption of UPFs.