Cases of Undeclared Peanut Allergens in Food Products
Ministry of Sustainability and the EnvironmentSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns the frequency of undeclared peanut allergens in food and associated health impacts, as raised by Mr Leon Perera. Minister Masagos Zulkifli B M M reported five cases since 2019, all involving imported products, compared to zero cases between 2015 and 2018. He noted that the Singapore Food Agency issued recalls for these products and has not received any feedback regarding adverse health effects. Minister Masagos Zulkifli B M M emphasized that manufacturers must declare allergens on labels, a requirement monitored through random checks by authorities. He added that the government works with international food authorities to identify undeclared allergens in imported food and ensure consumer safety.
Transcript
2 Mr Leon Perera asked the Minister for the Environment and Water Resources (a) to date, how many cases of undeclared peanut allergens have been found in food products sold in Singapore; and (b) whether any adverse health effects associated with peanut allergy have been noted from these or other cases.
The Minister for the Environment and Water Resources (Mr Masagos Zulkifli B M M): Mr Speaker, food manufacturers and traders in Singapore must comply with SFA's food safety standards and requirements. These include labelling requirements where food manufacturers and traders must ensure that known allergens such as peanuts, which are found in pre-packed food products, are declared on the labels of the products.
From 2015 to 2018, there were no cases of undeclared peanut allergen in pre-packed food products. Since 2019, there have been five cases of undeclared peanut allergen in pre-packed food products. Upon detection, SFA issued directions to recall the products given the food safety concerns to consumers who are allergic to peanuts. SFA has not received feedback or information on adverse health effects arising from these cases.
Mr Speaker: Mr Perera.
Mr Leon Perera (Non-Constituency Member): I thank the Minister for his answer. Just one supplementary question. Does the Ministry also work with the F&B sector to encourage them to declare peanut content in the food that is served?
Mr Masagos Zulkifli B M M: All these five cases came from overseas, all over the world. As you know, we import 90% of our food. And we also take instructions from food authorities around the world. When they find out that these allergens are not declared, then we do the recall. But for Singapore food manufacturing companies, it is a requirement for them to do so. We check randomly to make sure that they do so.
Mr Speaker: Order. End of Question Time.