FOOD REGULATIONS, 1974 (Particulars of inspections)

Mr Ivan Baptist asked the Minister for the Environment (a) how many inspections have been made by his Ministry under the Food Regulations. 1974 since the Regulations were brought into operation; and (b) how many infringements have been detected and what action has been taken against the offenders.

The Minister for the Environment (Mr Lim Kim San): Sir, the Food Regulations, 1974, were brought into operation on 1st May, 1974. These Regulations were made under the Sale of Food Act, which came into operation in May, 1973. The Food Regulations, 1974, govern the standards of the food sold in Singapore, while the inspections and prosecutions against offenders are mainly done under the Sale of Food Act. Inspections of food sold, kept or intended for sale are carried out daily by the staff of the Ministry of the Environment. The total number of inspections made under the Sale of Food Act and the Food Regulations, 1974, from May 1973 to February 1975 is 28,219. The details of the inspections made are as follows:- No. of Type Visits (a) Inspection of public markets 2,474 (b) Inspection of private markets 1,973 (c) Inspection of provision shops, supermarkets and other premises 21,866 (d) Inspection of ice-cream factories 1,020 (e) Examination of food as requested by importers and traders 664 (f) Destruction of usound food 70 (g) Investigation of complaints related to food 63 (h) Investigation of food poisoning incidents 89 ------- Total 28,219 =======

Summons action has been taken against offenders for infringing the Sale of Food Act, 1973, and the Regulations made thereunder. From May 1973 to February 1975 there were 356 convictions. The breakdown figures of the offences are as follows:- No. of Nature of Offence Convictions Food - labelling 51 Food containing prohibited preservatives 62 Food containing excessive preservatives 55 Food containing artificial sweetening agents without licence 88 Food - adulterated 19 Food containing prohibited colour 36 Food - not of the quality, nature or substance demaned by purchaser 15 Food - unfit for unman consumption 11 Food containing metals 5 Importaion of Filled Milk 1 Food containing mineral oil 10 Food containing excessive arsenic 3 Total 356