G/TBT/N/SGP/40  
 
3 November 2017  
(17-5977) Page: 1/2 
Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade  Original: English  
 
  
NOTIFICATION  
The following notification is being circulated in accordance with Article 10.6  
 
1. Notifying Member: SINGAPORE   
If applicable, name of local government involved (Article 3.2 and 7.2):   
2. Agency responsible: Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA)  
Name and address (including telephone and fax numbers, email and website 
addresses, if available) of agency or authority designated to handle comments 
regarding the notification shall be indicated if different from above:   
3. Notified under Article 2.9.2 [X], 2.10.1 [  ], 5.6.2 [  ], 5.7.1 [  ], other:  
4. Products covered (HS or CCCN where applicable, otherwise national tariff 
heading. ICS numbers may be provided in addition, where applicable): Infant 
formula under HS Codes 19011099, 19019019, 19011020, 19011030   
5. Title, number of pages and language(s) o f the notified document: Existing 
regulation: Food Regulations (226 page(s), in English), available online from 
www.ava.gov.sg/legislation  (select "Sale of Food Act") . The proposed changes to the 
existing regulation is detailed in para 6 below.   
6. Description of content: The Agri -Food and Veterinary Authority has completed a review 
of the Food Regulations and proposes the following amendments to the regulations for 
infant formula.  
(A) Inclusion of mandatory statements  
The label for infant formula must include statements to ensure that the consumer 
understands that  
 breast milk is best for infants; and  
 the infant formula should be used on the advice of a doctor or healthcare 
practitioner  
(B) Prohibiti on of use of health claims  
Labels and advertisements for infant formula must not contain claims which state, suggest 
or imply that the infant formula or a component, ingredient, constituent or other feature of 
the infant formula has, or may have, a health effect.  
(C) Prohibition on idealisation of infant formula  
i. Labels and advertisements for infant formula must not contain claims which 
directly or indirectly compare the infant formula or a component, ingredient, 
constituent or other feature of the infant fo rmula to breast milk.  
ii. Labels and advertisements for infant formula must not contain claims which 
idealise the use of infant formula. A claim is taken to idealise the use of 
infant formula if the label or advertisement contains:  G/TBT/N/SGP/40  
 
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   a pictorial or graphic repre sentation of pregnant women, nursing women, 
infants, young children or carers;  
 a descriptor like "humanised " or "maternalised ", or words of similar import; or  
 a pictorial or graphic representation or text which implies that infant health, 
happiness, well -being or enhanced abilities; or the health, happiness and 
wellbeing of carers, is associated with infant formula.  
(D) Prohibition and restriction on use of nutrition claims on labels and advertisements for 
infant formula  
a. Claims in respect of energy and carb ohydrate present in infant formula, as well 
as nutrients listed under Regulation 252(3) must not be made.  
b. Claims with respect to ingredients listed under Regulation 252(5) and 252(6) are 
permitted, provided the claims do not in any way imply that the infan t formula is 
enriched, fortified, or is an excellent source of these ingredients.  
c. Claims on the presence or absence of the following nutrients are permitted:  
i. Claims on the addition of hydrolysed milk protein isolate; provided that 
prescribed statements are  included on the label of the infant formula  
ii. Claims on the absence of lactose; provided that specified criteria are 
complied with.  
7. Objective and rationale, including the nature of urgent problems where 
applicable: Protection of human health or safety  
8. Relevant documents:   
 Codex Standard for Infant Formula and Formulas for Special Medical Purposes 
Intended for Infants (CODEX STAN 72 – 1981), section 9.6;  
 Codex Guidelines for Use of Nutrition and Health Claims (CAC/GL 23 -1997), section 
1.4 
9. Proposed date of adoption: 1 January 2018  
Proposed date of entry into force:  1 January 2018, following which a 12 -month grace 
period will be given to industry to comply with the new regulation  
10. Final date for comments: 60 days from notification  
11. Texts available from: National enquiry point [X] or address, telephone and fax 
numbers and email and website addresses, if available, of other body:   
The proposed regulations are being drafted, and will be posted at the following website as 
soon as they are available:  
http://www.ava.gov.sg/legislation  (select "Sale of Food Act ") 
 
Alternatively, please write in to:  
Regulatory Administration Group  
Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority  
52 Jurong Gate way Road #14 -01 
Singapore 608550  
Fax: +(65) 6334 1831  
E-mail: WTO_Contact@ava.gov.sg