Ensuring Compliance in Food Labelling

We thank Liu Yaorong for sharing the feedback on labelling practices for prepacked coconut water products in the letter “须严查包装椰子水标签合规性” (18 May 2026).

Under the Ministry of Health’s (MOH) rules, coconut water which crosses the sugar content thresholds must display Nutri-Grade labels with grades “C” or “D”.  It is an offence not to display. They do not have to display Nutri-Grade labels only if their sugar or saturated fats levels are low enough to qualify for “A” or “B” grades. The Health Promotion Board will regularly do checks to ensure that beverages display appropriate labels.

Further, under Singapore's Food Regulations, coconut water which includes other ingredients is not legally allowed to display labels that suggest that they are 100% coconut water. The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) requires all prepacked food sold in Singapore to bear labels that include:

1. The product’s name that clearly reflects its true nature
2. The list of all ingredients and additives (including ingredients that cause hypersensitivity)
3. Country of origin
4. Importer’s name and address
   

Importers must ensure that their imported products comply with Singapore’s requirements. Where manufacturers' labels do not meet the requirements, importers may affix sticker labels with the necessary information.

Regular checks on imported food products are conducted to ensure compliance with our food safety and Nutri-Grade labelling standards. Where non-compliance is found, SFA and MOH will take the appropriate enforcement action. 

Food safety is a joint responsibility. While SFA puts in place and enforces regulatory measures, importers and retailers must play their part by ensuring that the products they sell comply with all labelling requirements. Consumers who have concerns about specific food products or labelling issues are encouraged to report them to SFA via our online feedback form at www.sfa.gov.sg/feedback. SFA takes a serious view of such feedback, will investigate all reports, and will not hesitate to take enforcement action where there is sufficient evidence.

Dr Joel Aik 易启龙博士
Senior Director 高级署长
Food Safety Policy Division食品安全政策署
Singapore Food Agency 新加坡食品局 

Dr Ruth Lim 林敏珠医生
Director 司长
Disease Policy & Strategy Division疾病政策及策略司
Ministry of Health 保健卫生部

SFA's reply: "Ensuring Compliance in Food Labelling (30 May 2026)

ZB Forum Letter: "Stringent checks needed for compliance of coconut water packaging labels (18 May 2026)