Singapore food operators with revoked licences to be banned from reapplying for up to three years

A first-time perpetrator may experience a peak fine of S$ 25, 000, a prison term of up to 24 months, or both.

The Bill will also set out crimes and their related maximum penalties based on the degree of the offense, the level of complicity, and the breach’s circumstances.

The law may also change regarding the import of food for personal consumption in the wake of the Bill, which aims to streamline and rationalize Singapore’s food-related legislation and improve Singapore’s resilience. &nbsp,

A full of not more than 15 kg of different food groups, including a brake of up to 30 eggs, will be permitted for each individual. &nbsp,

This is away from the existing control of 5kg of meats and shellfish each and a” little, reasonable” variety of fruits and vegetables, SFA said earlier during the introduction of the Bill.

” Given for food is meant for use by the individual and family, and not for wider transmission, the food security risk to the public is considerably lower”, Ms Fu said.

The exception, however, excludes food of higher regulation problem, such as sport foods or animal body products.

Foods SAFETY FIRST

The Bill comes in the wake of a number of well-known, mass-produced cases of food poisoning that affected schools and businesses in 2024.

In December, 24 babies at a Little Seeds Preschool tree at Calvary Baptist Church fell ill with hepatitis signs, with seven killed. &nbsp,

In July, a large food poisoning affair at ByteDance‘s Singapore company saw more than 160 people reporting hepatitis signs.

Koh Poh Koon, the senior minister of state for sustainability and the environment, noted in a speech before the parliament that 43 % of foodborne gastroenteritis outbreaks were the result of poor food safety practices by food workers.

” The food industry is accountable for making sure their food is safe. It is not practical nor possible for SFA to verify and test all food items before consumption”, Dr Koh highlighted.

Members of Parliament backed the Bill, but some questioned its impact on business costs and other measures to prevent food safety violations.