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Who must comply with the requirements imposed on online food sellers?
Online food sellers, a type of online food business, sell food online via online marketplaces, social media platforms, and food delivery platforms.
Other types of online food businesses include group buyers and food delivery service providers.
For more information, see:
What laws must online food sellers comply with?
They must comply with Singapore’s prevailing food laws and regulations. SFA will enforce these laws and take action against any infringements.
Do online food sellers require a licence from SFA to operate?
Online food businesses may require relevant licences from SFA based on the nature of their business activity. If the online food businesses engage in activities that require a licence from SFA, such as the import of food items, they must obtain the relevant licences before commencing their operations.
For instance, if the nature of the online business is to import meat and meat products to sell online, the company must have a meat import licence as any import of meat and meat products requires a licence.
Similarly, if you also operate a physical brick-and-mortar shop that requires any handling, cooking or processing of food, you must apply for a food shop licence from SFA before you commence your business operations.
Conversely, if your online food business is solely to resell food products from a local distributor online without any handling, cooking or processing of food, and you do not have a physical store, you do not require a licence to sell food online.
What are the responsibilities of online food sellers?
In addition to complying with the prevailing food laws, online food sellers also have the responsibility to ensure that the food they sell is obtained from SFA-regulated sources.
To better understand your responsibilities, download the Guidelines for food sellers selling food online via e-commerce platforms.
Being a responsible food seller can help you gain your customers’ trust and encourage repeat purchases. Conversely, errant food sellers may be reported to SFA and face legal action.
Customers can report errant food sellers via the SFA Online Feedback Form.
How can I get my customers to play their part in food safety?
You can provide information on the food products that you sell to enable your customers to make informed decisions before they make a purchase. You can also share food safety tips with your customers and encourage them to have a better understanding of food safety risks and adopt good food safety practices.
Encourage your consumers to exercise discretion and making informed decisions and judgement when buying food online.
Are there any industry standards for online food sellers to follow?
Online food retailers can follow the Guidelines for Food E-commerce (Singapore Standard (SS) 687: 2022), which can be purchased from the Singapore Standards eShop.
What does the standard cover?
The standard covers best practices and critical activities for the food e-commerce industry, aimed at improving the safety of food products sold on online platforms.
The standard specifies:
- The roles and responsibilities of the various stakeholders across the different stages of the food e-commerce supply chain.
- The standardisation of information to be displayed at the points of sale and delivery.
- The responsibilities of stakeholders for food traceability and food recall, including the timely initiation of recalls and management of consumer complaints and food safety incidents.
Who does the standard apply to?
The standard applies to e-commerce players, i.e. online food sellers, e-commerce platforms, and food delivery companies.
The standard is designed for small-scale or micro-businesses, detailing the roles and responsibilities related to food safety and specifying the information to be provided to consumers.
Why should e-commerce players, such as online food sellers, adopt the standard?
Although the standard is not mandatory, e-commerce players who follow the guidelines are equipped with practical steps for implementation at various points along the e-commerce supply chain, which lead to:
- Transparency: As necessary information, e.g. ingredient lists, allergens, food sources, and expiry dates, is provided to consumers when food is purchased.
- Traceability: Food products purchased online can be traced back to their sources.
- Accountability: The responsibilities of those involved in the sale of online food are clear.
How does the standard safeguard consumers?
The standard also aims to improve the end consumers’ experience by:
- Strengthening the credibility and trustworthiness of food e-commerce platforms and food business operators.
- Encouraging all stakeholders within the food e-commerce supply chain to conduct the necessary due diligence by properly implementing food safety practices within their operations. This includes displaying food product information online, standardising food traceability, and establishing product recall procedures to improve food safety standards.
Who developed the standard?
The standard was jointly developed by a multi-stakeholder Working Group, comprising Food Industry Asia (FIA) and the Singapore Food Agency (SFA), in partnership with the Singapore Manufacturing Federation (SMF) and various industry players.
The Working Group was appointed by the Singapore Standards Council (SSC) and overseen by Enterprise Singapore (EnterpriseSG).
For more information
You can contact us via the SFA Online Feedback Form.
