Meat & Meat Products
SFA requires all slaughterhouses, cutting plants and meat processing establishments to be accredited.
Coldstores (with no food processing involved) and farms supplying animals to overseas slaughterhouses do not require accreditation.
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How does accreditation ensure the food safety of meat & meat products?
SFA takes a science-based risk management approach to food safety. Accreditation is required for certain meat & meat products to ensure that food products from overseas sources meet Singapore’s food safety standards and comply with existing food regulations.What overseas sources of meat and meat products must be accredited?
Use the table below to determine if the meat and meat product must be accredited by SFA before it is allowed to be imported into Singapore.
| Meat Product | Accreditation requirements |
|---|---|
| Meat Products with less than 5% meat content | Accreditation is not required. However, these food products must meet the following requirements before it is allowed to be imported into Singapore 1. The overseas source i.e. the establishment, must be regulated by overseas Competent Authorities. 2. The product must be approved by SFA before export to Singapore. For details, see How to seek approval from SFA for Meat Products Containing Less Than 5% Meat. |
Animal casings (limited to those produced from intestines and bladders of bovine, ovine, caprine, porcine and equine species) | Accreditation and health certificates are not required. However, these food products must be sourced from SFA-approved countries or regions. |
What does accreditation involve?
There are two levels of accreditation.
1. Accreditation of the Exporting Country/Region
Before a farm/establishment can be accredited, the country/region must first be accredited by SFA.
- Who can apply for accreditation?
Accreditation must be submitted directly to SFA by the Competent Authority of the exporting country or region. Exporters who wish to export their food products to Singapore should work closely with their country’s Competent Authority. - What documents are required?
For details on the documents required and submission format, refer to Accreditation of New Countries/Regions for Export of Meat and Meat Products to Singapore.
All information must be supplied in English and in soft copy. - What are the veterinary conditions that must be met?
Please refer to the following for SFA’s veterinary conditions:
- Veterinary conditions for the importation of beef and beef products
- Veterinary conditions for the importation of pork and pork products
- Veterinary conditions for the importation of poultry and poultry products
For chilled meat products, please see the Additional Conditions for Chilled Meat Products.
- How long is the accreditation process?
The time required for the accreditation process to be completed varies for each application. Exporters who wish to export their food products to Singapore should check with their country’s Competent Authority on the status.
2. Accreditation of Establishments
Once a country/region is accredited for the export of Meat & Meat Products, establishments from those countries can apply for SFA's accreditation through their Competent Authority.
The accreditation criteria for overseas establishments are as follows. Establishments should comply with the respective criteria before applying for accreditation.
| File Form | Document |
|---|---|
| Slaughterhouses, meat and egg processing establishments | Accreditation criteria for establishments |
Who can apply for accreditation?
Overseas farms and establishments, such as slaughterhouses and meat processing plants from approved countries/regions, can apply.
The application must be submitted by the Competent Authority of the exporting country/region to SFA.
How to apply for accreditation?
Step 1: Check that your country/region is accredited by SFA
Step 2: Complete the application form
Refer to the relevant application form from the table below and complete it in English.
| Application Form | Accreditation requirements |
|---|---|
| Slaughterhouse/Cutting Plant | SFA Form-SH |
Canning/Processing Plant* Raw meat used for processing must be obtained from SFA-approved slaughterhouses. Use the Accreditation Database for Overseas Sources (ADOS) to find approved slaughterhouses. | SFA Form-PP |
Ensure that all required documents (e.g. brochures, photographs, or videos) are attached to the form in soft copy format.
Step 3: Submit the application form
You should submit the application to your country/region’s Competent Authority.
The Competent Authority will verify and endorse the submission before forwarding the application to SFA for documentary review.
Check with the Competent Authority for details on how you can submit the application and the time required for verification and endorsement.
Step 4: SFA reviews the application
SFA will review the documents upon receiving the application from the overseas Competent Authority.
The processing time is stated on the application form. The processing time may be delayed if the application form is incomplete or unsatisfactory. SFA will need to request for further information or clarification on the application from the Competent Authority.
SFA may conduct an inspection visit to the exporting country/region and establishment before granting approval to the establishment to export to Singapore.
Farms or establishments can check with their Competent Authority on the status of the application.
Step 5: Obtain approval
Once SFA approves the application, SFA will send the approval letter to the Competent Authority and release a trade circular informing all importers of the approval of the new accredited source. Details will also be uploaded into SFA’s Accreditation Database for Overseas Sources (ADOS).
Once the farm/establishment has been accredited, its Meat & Meat Products can be imported into Singapore.
To find out if a farm/establishment has been accredited, you can search the Accreditation Database for Overseas Sources (ADOS) or refer to SFA Circulars.
How to seek approval from SFA for meat products containing less than 5% meat?
Step 1: Ensure the overseas farm/establishment is regulated
SFA will only approve products from overseas farms/establishments that are regulated by Competent Authorities in their country/region.
Please check with your supplier or exporter if the farm/establishment is regulated before submitting an application.
Step 2: Ensure the product meets SFA's requirements
There should be less than 5% meat in the meat products.
Step 3: Gather the required documents
You will need to submit the following documents, which provide information on how the product is manufactured. You should be able to obtain them from your supplier or the manufacturer.
- process flow chart
- information on heat treatment conditions
- details on the source of raw meat
Step 4: Submit the documents to SFA
Submit all the documents gathered in Step 3 using the SFA Online Feedback Form. Select “Licensing – Food Trade” and fill in the form duly. There are no fees incurred for this application.
Step 5: SFA reviews your application
SFA will review the documents upon receiving the application. SFA will seek further clarifications if the application is incomplete or the information provided is unsatisfactory.
Step 6: Obtain approval
Once your application has been approved, the meat product containing less than 5% meat can be imported into Singapore.
Step 7: Obtain declarations from the manufacturer
Every consignment must be accompanied by two declarations by the manufacturer, namely: 1. the manufacturing process; and 2. endorsement by the veterinary/State authority of the exporting country
- Declaration on manufacturing process
| No | Details required in the declaration |
|---|---|
| 1 | The content of ________ (species of meat), including fat, in the products is less than 5%. |
| 2 | The products have been prepared with wholesome meat derived from animals slaughtered in government-approved slaughterhouses; or imported from ________ (establishment no.), ________ (country/region). |
| 3 | During the course of manufacture, the meat has been subjected to ____ (◦C) for ____ min. |
| 4 | The products have not been treated with chemical preservatives or other substances harmful to public health. |
| 5 | The products have been processed in a hygienic manner and are fit for consumption. |
2. Endorsement by the veterinary/State authority of the exporting country with the following details:
- product description
- product quantity
- date of processing
- name of consignee
- name of consignor
If the product contains raw meat that is imported from another country/region, you must also obtain a certified true copy of the veterinary health certificate of the origin of the raw meat. Please attach this along with the manufacturer’s declaration.
Live Poultry
Live poultry and other livestock are domestic birds and animals that are slaughtered for consumption.
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What overseas sources of live poultry must be accredited?
All overseas sources of live poultry must be accredited before it can be imported into Singapore.
How does accreditation ensure the food safety of Live Poultry?
SFA takes a science-based risk management approach to food safety.
What does accreditation involve?
There are two levels of accreditation.
1. Accreditation of the Exporting Country/Region
Before a farm/establishment can be accredited, the country/region must first be accredited by SFA.
- Who can apply for accreditation?
Accreditation must be submitted directly to SFA by the Competent Authority of the exporting country or region. Exporters who wish to export their food products to Singapore should work closely with their country’s Competent Authority. - What documents are required?
For details on the documents required and submission format, refer to Accreditation of New Countries/Regions for Export of Meat and Meat Products to Singapore.
The table below lists the documents required by SFA from the Competent Authority. All information must be supplied in English and in soft copy.
| No. | Documents Required |
|---|---|
| 1 | Setup and organisational structure of the veterinary services of the country or region. |
| 2 | Poultry disease situation and the national programmes for control and prevention of such diseases. |
| 3 | Copy of the legislation to control and prevent the introduction of poultry diseases in the country/region (or an excerpt in English if the legislation is not in English). |
| 4 | Copy of legislation governing poultry farms. |
| 5 | Licensing authority and licensing system of approved farms. |
| 6 | National microbiological and residue control programmes on poultry. |
| 7 | National Salmonella Enteritidis Control Programme. Poultry farms exporting to Singapore are required to be free of Salmonella Enteritidis (SE) and should not practise vaccination as a means of control against SE. |
- What are the veterinary conditions that must be met?
Please refer to the following for SFA’s veterinary conditions:- Veterinary Conditions for the Importation of Domestic Birds
- Veterinary Conditions for the Importation of Day-Old Chicks
- Veterinary Conditions for the Importation of Hatching Eggs
- How long is the accreditation process?
The time required for the accreditation process to be completed varies for each application. Exporters who wish to export their food products to Singapore should check with their country’s Competent Authority on the status.
2. Accreditation of Farms
Once a country/region is accredited for live poultry, farms from those countries can apply for accreditation through their Competent Authority.
The accreditation criteria for overseas farms are as follows. Farms should comply with the respective criteria before applying for accreditation.
| File Form | Document |
|---|---|
| Broiler, layer, breeder farms and hatcheries | Accreditation criteria for farms |
Who can apply for accreditation?
Overseas live poultry farms from approved countries/regions can apply. The application must be submitted by the Competent Authority of the exporting country/region to SFA.How to apply for accreditation?
Step 1: Check that your country/region is accredited by SFA
SFA only considers applications from live poultry farms in approved countries/regions.
For live broilers (for slaughter for human consumption), only West Malaysia and Indonesia are permitted to export to Singapore.
Step 2: Complete the application form
Refer to the relevant application form from the table below and complete it in English
| Commodity | Application form |
|---|---|
| Live broilers | Application for export of live broilers to Singapore |
| Day-Old-Chicks | Application for export of DOC to Singapore |
Ensure that all required documents (e.g. brochures, photographs or videos) are attached to the form in soft copy.
Step 3: Submit the application form
You should submit the application to your country/region’s Competent Authority.
The Competent Authority will verify and endorse the submission before forwarding the application to SFA for review.
Step 4: SFA reviews the application
The processing time is stated on the application form. The processing time may be delayed if the application form is incomplete or unsatisfactory. SFA will need to request for further information or clarification on the application from the competent authority.
SFA may conduct an inspection visit to the exporting country/region and establishment before granting approval to the establishment to export to Singapore.
Farms or establishments can check with their competent authority on the status of the application.
Step 5: Obtain approval
Once SFA approves the application, SFA will send the approval letter to the competent authority and release a trade circular informing all importers of the approval of the new accredited source. Details will also be uploaded into SFA’s Accreditation Database for Overseas Sources (ADOS).
Once the farm has been accredited, its live poultry can be imported into Singapore.
To find out if a farm/establishment has been accredited, you can search the Accreditation Database for Overseas Sources (ADOS) or refer to SFA Circulars.
Shell Eggs
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What overseas sources of shell eggs must be accredited?
All overseas sources of shell eggs must be accredited before the eggs can be exported to Singapore.
How does accreditation ensure the food safety of shell eggs?
SFA takes a science-based risk management approach to food safety.
Eggs can be contaminated with harmful microorganisms such as Salmonella, which can cause foodborne illnesses. Some may also contain veterinary drug residues when procedures on drug usage and withdrawal periods are not followed strictly by the farms.
Accreditation helps to ensure that eggs from overseas sources meet Singapore’s animal health and food safety standards.
What does accreditation involve?
There are two levels of accreditation.
1. Accreditation of the Exporting Country/Region
Before a farm/establishment can be accredited, the country/region must first be accredited by SFA.
- Who can apply for accreditation?
Accreditation must be submitted directly to SFA by the Competent Authority of the exporting country or region. Exporters who wish to export their food products to Singapore should work closely with their country’s competent authority.
- What documents are required?
For details on the documents required and submission format, refer to Accreditation of New Countries/Regions for Export of Egg and Egg Products to Singapore.
The table below lists the documents required by SFA form the Competent Authority. All information must be supplied in English and in soft copy.
| No. | Documents Required |
|---|---|
| 1 | The setup and organisational structure of the veterinary services of the country or region. |
| 2 | The poultry disease situation and the national programmes for control and prevention of such diseases. |
| 3 | Copy of the legislation to control and prevent the introduction of poultry diseases in the country/region (or an excerpt in English if the legislation is not in English). |
| 4 | Copy of legislation governing poultry farms and the storage, handling, and distribution of eggs. |
| 5 | Licensing authority and licensing system of approved farms. |
| 6 | National microbiological and residue control programmes on poultry. |
| 7 | National Salmonella Enteritidis Control Programme. Poultry farms exporting eggs to Singapore are required to be free of Salmonella Enteritidis (SE). If SE vaccination is practised on the farm, the vaccine must be approved for use by the competent authority in the country/region of export. The vaccine details (i.e. vaccine name, trade name, and manufacturer) must be furnished to SFA. |
- What are the accreditation requirements for free-range eggs?
Countries/Regions that are interested in exporting free-range eggs to Singapore must submit additional information to obtain accreditation specific to free-range eggs.
Free-range eggs are laid by hens that have meaningful and regular access to an outdoor range during the day, during their laying cycle. The hens are also able to roam and forage outdoors.
The table below lists the additional information required by SFA from the competent authority. All information must be supplied in English and soft copy.
| Criteria | Additional Information Required for Free-Range Eggs |
|---|---|
| Risk assessment must identify and assess the risk factors for Avian Influenza (AI) specific to the country/region and to the overseas free-range egg farms | Submission of country/region risk assessment on AI incursion in free-range egg farms, which identifies the risk factors for AI specific to the country/region. |
| Adequate risk management measures by country/region and industry which address the higher risk of free-range egg farms | Submission of risk management measures in the country/region and the free-range egg farm industry. Examples include a national AI plan, surveillance, control and eradication programme, and industry guidelines issued by government or expert panels, which address the higher risk of free-range egg farms. |
| Track record of shell egg imports from the country/region to Singapore | Not Applicable. SFA will review track records of shell egg imports from the country/region based on compliance rates of consignments inspected and sampled. |
| Track record of prompt and transparent reporting of notifiable AI outbreak to OIE (World Organisation for Animal Health) | Submission of all notifiable AI outbreaks in the past five years, with dates of initial reporting, confirmation, and OIE notifications. |
- What are the veterinary conditions that must be met?
Please refer to the following for SFA’s veterinary conditions:
- Veterinary conditions for the importation of shell eggs
- Veterinary conditions for the importation of pasteurised shell eggs
- How long is the accreditation process?
The time required for the accreditation process to be completed varies for each application. Exporters who wish to export their food products to Singapore should check with their country’s Competent Authority on the status.
2. Accreditation of Farms
Once a country/region is accredited for shell eggs, farms from those countries can apply for accreditation through the competent authority.
The accreditation criteria for overseas farms are as follows. Farms should comply with the respective criteria before applying for accreditation.
| File Form | Document |
|---|---|
| Broiler, layer, breeder farms and hatcheries | Accreditation criteria for farms |
Who can apply for accreditation?
Overseas poultry farms from approved countries/regions can apply for accreditation to export shell eggs into Singapore.
To supply free-range eggs, the exporting country/region must be accredited for free-range eggs before the farm can apply for accreditation.
The application must be submitted by the competent authority of the exporting country/region to SFA.
How to apply for accreditation?
Step 1: Check that your country/region is accredited by SFA
SFA only considers applications from poultry farms from these SFA-approved exporting countries/regions.
Step 2: Complete the application form
Refer and complete the application form in English.
| Application Form | Document |
|---|---|
| Shell Eggs (includes free-range eggs) | SFA Form-ShellEggs |
Pasteurised Shell Eggs The eggs used for pasteurisation must be obtained from SFA-approved egg farms. | SFA Form-SEP |
Ensure that all required documents (e.g. brochures, photographs, or videos) are attached in soft copy.
Step 3: Submit the application form
You should submit the application to your country/region’s Competent Authority.
The Competent Authority will verify and endorse the submission before forwarding the application to SFA for review.
Check with the Competent Authority for details on how you can submit the application and the time required for verification and endorsement.
Step 4: SFA reviews the application
SFA will review the documents upon receiving the application from the overseas Competent Authority.
The processing time is stated on the application form. The processing time may be delayed if the application form is incomplete or unsatisfactory. SFA will need to request for further information or clarification on the application from the Competent Authority.
SFA may conduct an inspection visit to the exporting country/region and establishment before granting approval to the establishment to export to Singapore.
Farms or establishments can check with their Competent Authority on the status of the application.
Step 5: Obtain approval
Once SFA approves the application, SFA will send the approval letter to the Competent Authority and release a trade circular informing all importers of the approval of the new accredited source. Details will also be uploaded into SFA’s Accreditation Database for Overseas Sources (ADOS).
Once the farm has been accredited, its shell eggs can be imported into Singapore.
To find out if a farm has been accredited, you can search the Accreditation Database for Overseas Sources (ADOS) or refer to SFA Circulars.
Processed Eggs
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What overseas sources of processed eggs must be accredited?
All overseas egg processing plants or establishments that produce processed eggs sources of processed eggs listed in the table below must be accredited before the egg products can be imported into Singapore.
| Form of Egg Product | Examples |
|---|---|
| Powdered and pasteurised liquid eggs |
|
| Whole egg products |
|
How does accreditation ensure the food safety of processed eggs?
SFA takes a science-based risk management approach to food safety.
Like shell eggs, processed eggs can be contaminated with harmful microorganisms such as Salmonella, which can cause foodborne illnesses. They may also contain veterinary drug residues when procedures on drug usage and withdrawal periods are not followed strictly by the farms.
During processing and packaging, there is also a risk of cross-contamination from equipment, surfaces, or personnel.
Accreditation helps to ensure that processed eggs from overseas sources meet Singapore’s animal health and food safety standards.
What does accreditation involve?
There are two levels of accreditation.
1. Accreditation of the Exporting Country/Region
Before a farm/establishment can be accredited, the country/region must first be accredited by SFA.
- Who can apply for accreditation?
Accreditation must be submitted directly to SFA by the Competent Authority of the exporting country or region. Exporters who wish to export their food products to Singapore should work closely with their country’s Competent Authority. - What documents are required?
For details on the documents required and submission format, refer to Accreditation of New Countries/Regions for Export of Egg and Egg Products to Singapore.
All information must be supplied in English and in soft copy.
- What are the veterinary conditions that must be met?
Please refer to the following for SFA’s veterinary conditions:
- How long is the accreditation process?
The time required for the accreditation process to be completed varies for each application. Exporters who wish to export their food products to Singapore should check with their country’s Competent Authority on the status.
2. Accreditation of Establishments
Once a country/region is accredited for processed eggs, establishments from those countries can apply for accreditation through the Competent Authority.
The accreditation criteria for overseas establishments are as follows. Establishments should comply with the respective criteria before applying for accreditation.
| File Form | Document |
|---|---|
| Slaughterhouses, meat and egg processing establishments | Accreditation criteria for establishments |
Who can apply for accreditation?
Overseas egg processing establishments from approved countries/regions can apply for accreditation to export processed eggs.
The application must be submitted by the Competent Authority of the exporting country/region to SFA.
How to apply for accreditation?
Step 1: Check that your country/region is accredited by SFA
SFA only considers applications from egg processing establishments from these SFA-approved exporting countries/regions.
Step 2: Complete the application form
Refer and complete the application form in English.
| Application Form | Document |
|---|---|
| Egg Processing Plant | SFA Form-EPP |
| Salted and Preserved Egg | SFA Form-ESP |
Ensure that all required documents (e.g. brochures, photographs, or videos) are attached to the form in soft copy.
Step 3: Submit the application form
You should submit the application to your country/region’s Competent Authority.
The Competent Authority will verify and endorse the submission before forwarding the application to SFA for review.
Check with the Competent Authority for details on how you can submit the application and the time required for verification and endorsement.
Step 4: SFA reviews the application
SFA will review the documents upon receiving the application from the overseas Competent Authority.
The processing time is stated on the application form. The processing time may be delayed if the application form is incomplete or unsatisfactory. SFA will need to request for further information or clarification on the application from the Competent Authority.
SFA may conduct an inspection visit to the exporting country/region and establishment before granting approval to the establishment to export to Singapore.
Farms or establishments can check with their Competent Authority on the status of the application.
Step 5: Obtain approval
Once SFA approves the application, SFA will send the approval letter to the Competent Authority and release a trade circular informing all importers of the approval of the new accredited source. Details will also be uploaded into SFA’s Accreditation Database for Overseas Sources (ADOS).
Once the establishment has been accredited, its processed egg products can be imported into Singapore.
To find out if an establishment has been accredited, you can search the Accreditation Database for Overseas Sources (ADOS)or refer to the SFA Circulars.
Fish & Fish Products
Higher-risk fish and seafood products, i.e. live oysters and pufferfish, must be accredited before they can be imported into Singapore.
While other types of fish and fish products do not require accreditation, they must be regulated by overseas Competent Authorities before they can be imported into Singapore. For details, see Import Requirements for Food & Food Products.
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How do these measures ensure the safety of fish and fish products?
Accreditation, import requirements, and post-import inspection are part of the import controls imposed by SFA to ensure our food is safe for consumption.
In the case of fish and fish products, more stringent requirements are imposed on live oysters as they accumulate bacteria, viruses, and toxins, and are often consumed raw.
As for pufferfish, a type of toxin, tetrodotoxin, can be present in certain parts of the pufferfish (e.g. ovaries and liver) and pose a food safety concern. Therefore, these higher-risk products need to be accredited.
Live fish, frozen raw prawns and other lower-risk fish and fish products do not need to be accredited but are still subject to post-import inspection and sample testing. Samples are tested for a wide range of food-borne hazards such as chemical contaminants (e.g. pesticide residues and heavy metals and drug residues) and harmful microorganisms (e.g. bacteria like E coli, Salmonella and Listeria).
What are the accreditation requirements for live oysters?
Only approved countries/regions that maintain a National Shellfish Sanitation Programme (NSSP) can export live oysters to Singapore.
Who can apply for approval?
What documents must be submitted?
The competent authority must submit details about their NSSP to SFA for review. Examples of the details required include:
- classification of harvesting waters
- monitoring programme and testing programme at these harvesting areas
- control or contingency plans when pathogens are detected, e.g. closure of the waters from collection and recall programme/procedures
All information must be supplied in English and soft copy.
How long is the approval process?
What are the accreditation requirements for pufferfish?
You can only import wild and farmed pufferfish muscle meat and farmed pufferfish parts (fins, skin, and milt) from SFA-accredited pufferfish establishments.
Each consignment imported must be accompanied by a health certificate issued by the relevant authority of the exporting country/region, which includes the following attestations:
- The product is safe for human consumption.
- The products have been prepared in accordance with the regulations of the exporting country/region, in an establishment accredited by SFA, and are audited regularly by the Competent Authority for compliance with conditions for import into Singapore.
For more information
You can contact us via the SFA Online Feedback Form.
