Singapore bans import and use of partially hydrogenated oils from June 2021

　Recently, Singapore submitted the Food Regulations (Amendment) to the WTO ) Draft 2020, the Singapore Ministry of Health, the Health Promotion Board and the Singapore Food Agency propose that starting from June 2021, Singapore will ban the import and use of partially hydrogenated oils as ingredients in all fats, oils and pre-packaged foods. The document, which was published on the WTO website on March 9, intends to revise the import and use requirements for partially hydrogenated oil. In addition, the document also includes revisions to Article 2, Article 78 and Schedule 1 of the regulations.

1. Background introduction

The Health Promotion Bureau stated: This revision intends to prohibit the use of partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs) as any Food ingredients. PHOs are produced by the incomplete hydrogenation of vegetable oils, a process that converts liquid oils into semi-solid fats to extend the shelf life of the product. It is estimated that about 10% of prepackaged snacks, baked goods, cooked foods and fatty foods in Singapore currently contain PHOs.

PHOs are the main source of artificial trans fats. Trans fats in people’s diet mainly exist in the form of PHOs. Trans fat intake increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. It also increases low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and lowers high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in the body. Relevant studies have found that if you consume more than 4g of trans fat per day, the incidence of cardiovascular disease will increase by 23%. Singapore’s Ministry of Health stated that: Currently, a 2% limit on trans fat content levels in oils and fats has been implemented, which has reduced the average trans fat intake of Singaporeans from 2.1g/d in 2010 to 1.0 in 2018. g/d. The World Health Organization has also called on countries to take steps to eliminate artificial trans fats from the human diet by 2023. Currently, the United States, Canada, and Taiwan have implemented similar bans.

II. Introduction to the revision

The main contents of this revision are: adding the following to paragraph (1) of Article 2 of the Food Regulations Definition of trans fatty acids; delete the relevant provisions on trans fatty acids and their configurations in edible fats and oils in paragraphs (3) and (4) of Article 78; amend the fully hydrogenated or unhydrogenated edible vegetable oils in Schedule 1 General terms allowed to be used in ingredient labelling, with a new section 36A prohibiting the import and use of partially hydrogenated oils as ingredients in any edible fats and oils.

1. The proposed effective date of this regulation

According to the notification, the amendment is planned to take effect on June 1, 2021.

2. Increase the definition of trans fatty acids

“Trans fatty acids” refer to the geometric isomers of monounsaturated fatty acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids, with non-common Yoke, a carbon-carbon double bond in the trans configuration interrupted by at least one methylene group.

3. Add the definition of partially hydrogenated oil and relevant regulations on processing and import

(1) No one shall process or import edible oils and fats containing partially hydrogenated oil as ingredients. Edible fats or prepackaged foods.

　(2) In this regulation, “partially hydrogenated oil” refers to edible fats or oils that have been hydrogenated but not fully saturated.

4. Revision of general terms for hydrogenated vegetable oil

Revise the general terms related to hydrogenated vegetable oil in Schedule 1 of the “Food Regulations” that are allowed to be used in ingredient labeling.

3. Summary

In Singapore, the ban on partially hydrogenated oils is an ingredient-level ban, involving all foods produced or sold in Singapore. The ban will replace the current limit of 2% trans fat content in oils and fats sold in Singapore. The Singapore Ministry of Health stated that before June 2021, various industries have enough time to redesign products or obtain new product raw materials. After the new ban is implemented, food manufacturers must ensure that PHOs are not used in the production process, while retailers and importers must ensure that PHOs are not included in their products. All food manufacturers, retailers and importers will still be required to label hydrogenated vegetable oil ingredients on the packaging of products sold in Singapore.