. /.WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/SPS/N/SGP/13
15 January 2001
(01-0178)
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures Original:  English
NOTIFICATION
1. Member to Agreement notifying:  SINGAPORE
If applicable, name of local government involved:           
2. Agency responsible:  Food Control Department, Ministry of the Environment
3. Products covered (provide tariff item number(s) as specified in national schedules
deposited with the WTO; ICS numbers may be provided in addition, where
applicable).  Regions or countries likely to be affected, to the extent relevant or
practicable:  Food
4. Title and number of pages of the notified document:  Draft Proposed Food (Amendment)
Regulations 2001
5. Description of content:
1. In keeping with the recommendations by Codex and international practices, the
Ministry proposes to allow the use of the following additives:
• Potassium ferocyanide as an anti-caking agent in food (maximum
permissible level:  10 ppm);
• Sodium ferrocyanide as an anti-caking agent in food (maximum permissible
level:  10 ppm);
• Diacetin as a solvent for flavouring agents (under good manufacturing
practice);
• Methanol as an extraction solvent (maximum permitted residual level:
5 ppm);
• Pentosanase (xylanase or hemicellulase) (under good manufacturing
practice);
• Alpha-acetolactate decarboxylase (under good manufacturing practice);
• Beta-glucanase (under good manufacturing practice).
Currently, these additives are not permitted in Singapore.2. The Ministry proposes to lift the exemptions for declaration of statement of
ingredients on the labels of sugar confectionery, chocolate, chocolate confectioneryand soft drinks.  This is to provide consumers with information on the ingredients
used in the products.  It is in line with international practice.
3. The Ministry also proposes to make the declaration of the following information
mandatory for import registration of food products:
(a) description of the product;
(b) brand name of the product, or the word "unbranded" if the product is
without a brand name;G/SPS/N/SGP/13
Page 2
(c) country of origin of the food product;
(d) quantity and units;
(e) arrival date;
(f) importer's name, address and contact telephone number;  and
(g) declarant name, code and NRIC number.
6. Objective and rationale: [  X ] food safety,  [     ] animal health,  [     ] plant protection,
[    ] protect humans from animal/plant pest or disease, [     ] protect territory from
other damage from pests   Enhance trade by removing some restrictions while continuing
to protect consumer health and safety.
7. An international standard, guideline or recommendation does not exist [     ].
If an international standard, guideline or recommendation exists, give the appropriate
reference and briefly identify deviations:  This action is in accordance with
recommendations by Codex and international standards.
8. Relevant documents and language(s) in which these are available:           
9. Proposed date of adoption:  15 March 2001
10. Proposed date of entry into force:  15 March 2001
11. Final date for comments:  14 March 2001
Agency or authority designated to handle comments:  [     ] National notification
authority, [     ] National enquiry point, or address, fax number and E-mail address (if
available) of other body:  International Environment & Policy Department, Ministry of the
Environment
12. Texts available from: [     ] National notification authority, [     ] National enquiry point
or address, fax number and E-mail address (if available) of other body:
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