Singapore

Minimum standards and guidelines on actions to protect children from the harmful impact of marketing of food and non-alcoholic beverages in the ASEAN region

This report outlines the minimum standards and guidelines for ASEAN Member States to protect children from the harmful impacts of food and non-alcoholic beverage marketing. It also includes a rationale for strengthening legislation, guidelines for developing, implementing, enforcing, and monitoring legislation, and an overview of existing unhealthy food marketing regulations in the region.

Age Well SG

Age Well SG is a national government programme to support seniors to age actively and healthily in their homes and their communities. The programme aims to improve the physical environment to make it easier and safer for seniors to engage in their daily activities. Active Ageing Centres (AACs) across Singapore provide group physical activities, communal meals, and other services for seniors.

Eat, Drink, Shop Healthy Challenge

This consumer reward programme incentivises consumers to choose healthier food and drink options by offering 'HealthPoints' and prizes in the 'Healthy 365' app.

Healthier SG

Healthier SG is a national primary healthcare initiative by the Ministry of Health (MOH) focused on supporting Singaporeans to lead healthier lifestyles and preventing the development of NCDs. Under Healthier SG, people select a family doctor who will work with them to develop a personalised health plan that includes lifestyle changes and health screenings. The initiative ensures that members receive personalised care, free screenings, and affordable medications.

Mandatory front of package labelling: Nutri-grade

From 30 December 2022, beverages sold in Singapore in pre-packaged form must have Nutri-Grade labelling and are subject to restrictions on advertising. This is a mandatory measure. From 30 December 2023, these requirements will be extended to freshly prepared beverages intended for sale at specified settings in Singapore. Nutri-Grade beverages are graded using a single set of thresholds for sugar and saturated fat content.

Ban of PHOs

As of June 2021, Partially-hydrogenated oils (PHOs) are banned as an ingredient in Singapore and must be phased out by all food companies. This ban covers local manufacturing and also imported food products.

Sugared drinks advertisement ban

Ministry of Health (MOH) will introduce mandatory front-of-pack nutrition labels for less healthy pre-packaged sugar sweetened beverage[1] (SSBs) and advertising prohibitions for the least healthy SSBs on local mass media channels. Awaiting to establish if this is now live, due during 2020.

Voluntary Pledge to Reduce Sugar Content

In 2017, seven large beverage companies voluntarily pledged to reduce their drinks' sugar content to 12% by 2020.

Healthier Ingredient Development Scheme (HIDS)

An HPB scheme to encourage the use of healthier ingredients in the food service industry by supporting suppliers/manufacturers in innovating and developing a wider variety of healthier ingredients, with the aim of improving the diet quality of Singaporeans when eating out. HIDS works in tandem with the Healthier Dining Programme (HDP), to increase the number of healthier meal options available when eating out.

NCD Country Profiles 2018 (Obesity Targets)

The profiles also provide data on the key metabolic risk factors, namely raised blood pressure, raised blood glucose and obesity and National Targets on Obesity (as of 2017)

Healthy Meals in Schools Programme (HMSP)

The Healthy Meals in Schools Programme (HMSP) seeks to enhance the availability of healthier food and beverage choices in schools through an integrated programme involving teachers, canteen vendors and students. HPB supports schools to implement this programme by providing training for canteen staff. In 2020, the HMSP criteria banned deep-fried and preserved foods, high-fat ingredients, and high-sugar snacks and drinks from being sold in school canteens, cafes, and vending machines.

HPB-MOH Clinical Practice Guidelines 1/2016

Guidelines to clinical practice, based on the best available evidence at the time of development. Includes guidlines for diagnosis and classification, assessment, treatment and screening.

War on Diabetes

The Ministry of Health (MOH) launched a War on Diabetes (WoD) in 2016, in response to the significant health and societal burden posed by diabetes, and established the national Diabetes Prevention and Care Taskforce to promote healthy living, regular screening, and better disease management. The Let's Beat Diabetes public education campaign aimed to raise awareness about diabetes.

Action Plan to Reduce the Double Burden of Malnutrition in the Western Pacific Region (2015–2020)

The WHO action plan to reduce the double burden of malnutrition in the Western Pacific Region. It calls for accelerated efforts to improve nutrition. The plan includes targets to halt the increase in childhood overweight and adult and adolescent diabetes and obesity by 2025.

Guidelines for Food Advertising to Children

New guidelines aimed at reducing children's exposure to advertising of food and beverages high in fat, sugar and salt will take effect from 1 January 2015.

HealthHub

HealthHub is a one-stop portal and mobile app for Singaporeans to access a wide range of health content, deals, rewards and e-services. It is designed to empower Singaporeans to take greater ownership of their health and wellness through the online access of personalized health records, better health literacy and adoption of healthy lifestyle practices.

Lose To Win

Lose To Win is a holistic weight-loss programme organised by the Health Promotion Board (HPB) that helps participants get fit in a fun and interactive way.

MOVE IT

MOVE IT is a HealthHub programme that provides physical activity advice, and a range of activities and free workout classes.

ActiveSG

ActiveSG, an initiative by Sport Singapore, is a national movement promoting inclusive and widespread participation in sport. Through accessible facilities, events, and programmes, it encourages active living.

Healthier Dining Programme

The Healthier Dining Programme (HDP) was launched in 2014 to increase the availability and accessibility of healthier food and drink options. The programme helps businesses incorporate healthier options, and provides grants to businesses to help them promote their healthier items.

Regulation 78 of the Singaporean Food Regulations

In 2012, an amendment to regulation 78 of the Singaporean Food Regulations, made under the Sale of Food Act (1973), set a limit of 2% on trans fats in pre-packaged edible fats and oils for sale or for use as an ingredient in the preparation of food. The limits came into effect on 2 May 2012.

Healthier Choice Symbol

The Healthier Choice Symbol (HCS) is a symbol that Singaporeans can relate to for healthier packaged foods. It is a part of the Nutrition Labelling Programme and is intended to provide point-of-sale information to help people make informed food choices.

GNPR 2016-17 (q7) Breastfeeding promotion and/or counselling

WHO Global Nutrition Policy Review 2016-2017 reported the evidence of breastfeeding promotion and/or counselling (q7)

Healthy Workplace Ecosystem

HPB has been partnering with landlords and developers to bring healthier food options, free exercise sessions, health talks/workshops and health screenings to their workers and tenants at their workplaces. The collaboration aims to establish Healthy Workplace Ecosystems of convenient and conducive environments for workers to achieve healthier lifestyles.

Infant and Children Nutrition (ICN) Working Group

NCD targets

Includes targets of: • Maintain obesity rate at < 10% among adults by 2020 • Reduce overweight rate among children from projected 14% to 11% by 2020