On 22 July, the Singapore Food Agency issued guidelines on import procedures and requirements for fresh and minimally processed fruits and vegetables. The relevant tips are as follows:
1. Minimally processed fruits and vegetables are classified as processed foods. importers must register as a processed food importer under Singapore food agency(SFA) and access to GoBusiness licensing website: www.foodservices.gobusiness.gov.sg/licences, then apply for SFA license.
2. importers of minimally processed fruits and vegetables must comply with the following import requirements:
Submit credentials of the origin country proofing that the imported goods were produced in a place regulated by the competent authority (e.g. a true copy of the manufacturer's licence).
The import of minimally processed fruits and leafy vegetables (e.g., lettuce, cabbage, choy sum, etc.) requires a chemical and microbial laboratory report every six months, while the import of non-leafy processed vegetables (e.g., onion, potato, carrot, water chestnut, etc.) does not require a laboratory report.
Pesticide residue items in laboratory reports include: organochlorines, organophosphates, dithiocarbamates, N-methyl carbamate, pyrethroids; Microbiological items (for ready-to-eat foods only, e.g. salads, cuts) include: total colony count, fecal coliform, Escherichia coli.
3. importers should also ensure that imported food meets the standards set out in the Food Marketing Act and the Food Regulations, including their labelling requirements.
Customs Reminder:
Exporters exporting fresh and minimal processing fruit and vegetables (whether complete or minimally processed) to Singapore should strengthen coordination of related products with the Singapore importer and understand the latest requirements, take the initiative to the food production license required in Singapore agency copy, the corresponding project laboratory test report and specification of food labels and other documents. Correctly declare the product codes of imported fruits and vegetables to facilitate the effcient customs clearance of the relevant food products when exported to Singapore.
