Laws
Food Safety and Security Act 2025
Part 13
s 264

In forceUpdated to 1 Jul 2026Current version · Updated to 1 Jul 2026See versions on Singapore Statutes Online(opens the publisher’s site)

Contents

Food Safety and Security Act 2025

Find in this Act

1Preliminary

1Short title and commencement
2Purposes of Act
3General interpretation
4Meaning of “food”
5Meaning of “food business”
6Meaning of “licensable food business”
7Meanings of “publish in Singapore”, “advertise” and associated terms
8Meanings of “sell” and “supply”
9Meaning of “handling” food
10Meanings of “manufacturing” and “preparing” food
11Meaning of “unsafe” food
12Meaning of “unsuitable” food
13Meaning of “defined food”
14Meanings of “primary produce” and “unsafe primary produce”
15Meaning of “primary production activity”
16Meanings of “animal feed” and associated terms
17Meaning of “associate”

2Strengthening Resilience of Food Supplies in Singapore

18Definitions for Part 2
19When entity holds stocks of MSR product
20What is minimum stockholding requirement or MSR
21Quantity of MSR product to be held
22Entity subject to MSR
23Triggering MSR
24Ceasing to be subject to MSR
25Decision-making criteria for triggering MSR, etc.
26Temporary suspension of MSR by Minister
27Determination of assumption or division of MSR
28Reporting capacity to hold, etc.
29Average MSR default — civil penalty
30Daily MSR default — civil penalty
31Daily MSR default — offence
32Requirement to provide information
33Subject information of section 32 requirement
34Other content of section 32 requirement
35Limits to disclosure of information provided due to section 32 requirement
36Compliance and non-compliance with section 32
37Interest in case of civil penalty default
38Recovery of civil penalty
39Remission
40Part 2 Rules
41Saving and transitional provisions for food security

3Import, Export and Transhipment

42Definitions for Part 3
43Matter to which Part 3 applies
44Meaning of import for “private consumption”
45Importing prohibited food, etc.
46Importing prohibited food, etc. — strict liability
47Unlicensed import of import-controlled item
48Unlicensed import of import-controlled item — strict liability
49Importing non-conforming consignment of import‑controlled item
50Importing non-conforming consignment of import‑controlled item — strict liability
51Unlicensed export of export-controlled item
52Unlicensed export of export‑controlled item — strict liability
53Exporting non-conforming consignment of export‑controlled item
54Exporting non-conforming consignment of export‑controlled item — strict liability
55Unlicensed transhipment of transhipment-controlled item
56Unlicensed transhipment of transhipment‑controlled item — strict liability
57Export or transhipment of controlled item without inspection advice
58Export or transhipment of controlled item without inspection advice — strict liability
59Importing item not meeting applicable standard, etc.
60Importing item not meeting applicable standard, etc. — strict liability
61Dealing with imported examinable matter without inspection advice
62Dealing with imported examinable matter without inspection advice — strict liability
63Dealing with failing imported food, etc., knowingly
64Possession for supply knowing that prohibited food, etc.
65Possession for supply knowing, etc., applicable standard not met
66Possession for supply where applicable standard not met — strict liability
67Defence of due diligence
68Presumption as to possession
69Prohibited food, prohibited animal feed, etc.
70Import prohibition of live food producing animals
71Regulations for inspection schemes
72Inspection advice
73Holding orders
74Treatment, destruction or re-export of failing food, etc.
75Recognised foreign government certificates, etc.
76Types of licences and permits
77Application of Division 4 of Part 14 (general licensing procedures)
78Criteria for grant, etc., of licence
79Criteria for grant, etc., of consignment permit
80Conditions of licence or consignment permit
81Validity of licence and consignment permit
82Modifying conditions of licence
83Regulatory action concerning licence
84Cancelling consignment permit
85Post-revocation, etc., of licence or permit
86Application of this Division
87Information licensed importer must keep or have ready access to
88Identification, location and tracing of import‑controlled items
89Providing information — importer

4Food Businesses

90Definitions for Part 4
91Application of Division 4 of Part 14 (general licensing procedures)
92Criteria for grant of food business licence
93Conditions of food business licence
94Validity of food business licence
95Modifying conditions of food business licence
96Regulatory action concerning food business licence
97Post-revocation, etc., of food business licence
98Application of this Division
99Information food business proprietor must keep or have ready access to
100Identification, location and tracing of food
101Providing information — food business proprietor
102Unlicensed licensable food business, etc.
103Deployment of untrained food workers
104Disallowed activities for non‑licensable food business

5Defined Food and Pre-Market Approval

105Meaning of “pre-market approval”
106Supplying defined food
107Supplying defined food — strict liability
108Defence of due diligence
109Application for pre-market approval
110Grant of pre-market approval
111Validity of pre-market approval
112Cancelling pre-market approval
113Restrictions on transfer of pre-market approval

6Provision of Non-Packaged Drinking Water

114Definitions for Part 6
115Offence of supplying unwholesome drinking water
116Direction for unwholesome drinking water incident, etc.
117Offence of not complying with section 116 direction

7Food Safety and Sustainable Primary Production Measures

118Persons acting in name of Director‑General
119Persons to whom Part 7 directions may be given
120Content and effect of Part 7 directions — general
121Service of Part 7 directions
122When Part 7 direction takes effect
123Direction relating to food premises
124Direction for food vending machines and other equipment
125Direction to deal with hazard or source of contamination
126Movement control direction — content
127Declaration direction — content
128Direction to recall food or regulated food contact article
129Direction to manage food, regulated food contact article, etc.
130Direction relating to food workers in licensable food business
131Direction to publish statement
132Privileged statements
133General preventative or corrective action direction
134Direction to impose movement controls, etc., for animal feed
135Direction to recall animal feed
136Direction to manage animal feed
137Direction to address threats to primary production, etc.
138General preventative or corrective action direction
139Non-compliance with Part 7 direction
140Tampering with affixed copy of Part 7 direction
141Compensation

8Offences Relating to Food Safety

142Application of Part 8
143Meaning of “hazardous food contact article”
144Handling food in unsafe manner
145Handling food in unsafe manner — strict liability
146Supplying unsafe food
147Supplying unsafe food — strict liability
148Handling food making it unsuitable
149Handling food making it unsuitable — strict liability
150Supplying unsuitable food
151Supplying unsuitable food — strict liability
152Handling food making it defined food
153Handling food making it defined food — strict liability
154Unsafe primary produce from primary production activity
155Unsafe primary produce from primary production activity — strict liability
156Producing primary produce that is unsuitable food
157Producing primary produce that is unsuitable food — strict liability
158Producing primary produce that is defined food
159Producing primary produce that is defined food — strict liability
160Supplying food imported for private consumption
161Supplying food imported for private consumption — strict liability
162Supplying hazardous food contact article
163Supplying hazardous food contact article — strict liability
164General defence of due diligence
165Defence in respect of handling food
166Defence of relying on warranty, etc.
167Defence in respect of food for export
168Defence in respect of hazardous food contact article
169Defence for offence by employer
170Liability of employees and agents
171Non-defences

9Food and Health Promotion

172Definitions for Part 9
173Non-communicable disease of public health interest
174Part 9 Regulations
175Part 9 enforcement officers
176Remedial notices

10Misleading or Deceptive Conduct and Other Marketing Offences

177Definitions for Part 10
178Meaning of “falsely describe” in relation to food
179Misleading or deceptive conduct in the course of food business
180Supplying falsely described food
181Supplying falsely described food — strict liability
182Meat substitution
183Mislabelling food for supply
184Offences involving non-compliant advertising
185Advertising defined food
186General defence of due diligence
187Defence in respect of food for export
188Defence relating to advertising

11Certain Agri-Food Production Inputs

189Definitions for Part 11
190Application of Part 11
191Application of Division 4 of Part 14 (general licensing procedures)
192Criteria for grant, etc., of animal feed production licence
193Conditions of animal feed production licence
194Validity of animal feed production licence
195Modifying conditions of animal feed production licence
196Regulatory action concerning animal feed production licence
197Post-revocation of licence directions
198Application of this Subdivision
199Information animal feed production licensee must keep or have ready access to
200Identification, location and tracing of animal feed
201Providing information — animal feed production licensee
202Unauthorised production of animal feed
203Producing animal feed that is not fit for purpose
204Producing animal feed that is not fit for purpose — strict liability
205Registration of plant pesticide products
206Evaluation of plant pesticide product for registration
207Evaluation of label for approval — labelling criteria
208Validity of registration and approved label
209Cancellation or suspension of registration
210Application of Division 4 of Part 14 (general licensing procedures)
211Criteria for appointment
212Tenure of appointment
213Regulatory action concerning certified pesticide operator
214Unauthorised individual carrying on prescribed pesticide work
215Unregistered plant pesticide use
216Unregistered plant pesticide use — strict liability
217Improper plant pesticide use
218Improper plant pesticide use — strict liability
219Keeping plant pesticide in container without approved label
220Interference with approved labels
221Defence to offence of unregistered plant pesticide use
222Defence to offence of improper plant pesticide use
223Presumption as to use of plant pesticide

12Appeals

224Right of appeal to Minister
225Appeal procedure
226Decision on appeal
227Effect of appeal on appealable decision
228Designation of others to hear appeals
229Rules

13Monitoring and Enforcement

230Definitions for Part 13
231Saving for other laws
232Monitoring powers: who can exercise
233Monitoring powers: why
234Monitoring powers: what
235Monitoring powers: where
236Power to enter premises for monitoring
237Powers after entering premises
238Power to get documents or information
239Power to identify and hold food, plant pesticide, etc.
240Power to require presentation of live animals
241Power to take and sample
242Power to test samples
243Powers in relation to conveyances
244Investigating powers: who can exercise
245Investigating powers: why
246Investigating powers: what
247Investigating powers: where
248Special powers of entry
249Special information gathering powers
250Power to seize
251Detaining food, food contact article, etc., seized
252Power to obtain disclosure of identity
253Obstructing entry, etc.
254Interfering with seals or markings of authorised officer, etc.
255Impersonating
256Forging inspection advice, certificates, etc.
257Offence of providing false information, etc.
258Obligation to give information
259Self‑incrimination
260Presumption as to contents and labels
261Presumption as to supply of food
262Presumption as to sample
263Presumption as to import for purpose of supply
264Proof of exemptions or reasonable excuse
265Disclosure by witnesses
266Court may order corrective advertising, etc.
267Liability of person charged for certain expenses
268Handling of seized items
269Forfeiture, etc., of seized items by court in criminal proceedings
270Immediate forfeiture by Agency
271Offences by corporations
272Offences by unincorporated associations or partnerships
273Composition of offences

14Administration

274Appointment of Director-General, Food Security to administer Part 2
275Food security officers
276Agency to administer Act except Parts 2 and 9
277Appointment of Director-General, Food Administration
278Authorised officers
279Food inspectors
280Limits on powers of authorised officers and food inspectors
281Identification cards and equipment issued to food security officers
282Identification cards and equipment issued by Agency
283Showing identification card when exercising power
284Public servants
285Outsourced enforcement officers
286Powers of outsourced enforcement officers
287Authorised analysts
288Only authorised analyst may supply certificate of analysis
289Authorised analyst’s certificate
290Analysis not required for conviction
291Definitions for this Division
292Application for FSSA authorisation
293Grant of FSSA authorisation
294Conditions of FSSA authorisation
295Procedure to modify FSSA authorisation condition or for regulatory action against FSSA authorisation holder
296Non-transferable FSSA authorisation
297Conviction as ground for regulatory action
298Disqualification from holding FSSA authorisation
299Financial penalties, etc.
300Production of FSSA authorisation
301Surrender of FSSA authorisation
302Reasonable belief by authorised officer, etc.
303Protection of confidential commercial information for plant pesticides
304Service of documents
305Protection from personal liability
306Jurisdiction of courts

15Regulations and Codes

307General power to make regulations
308Fees and charges
309Standards and labelling requirements
310Food safety schemes
311Other subject matter of regulations
312Part 6 Regulations
313Animal feed regulations
314Pesticide control regulations
315Incorporation by reference, etc.
316Presentation to Parliament
317Codes of practice
318Use of code of practice in proceedings

16Miscellaneous

319Act binds Government
320General exemption
321Administrative exemption from Act

17Amendments to Other Acts and Final Provisions

322Amendment of section 8
323New section 8A
324Amendment of section 41
325Amendment of section 59
326Amendment of section 62
327Amendment of section 80
328Amendment of Third Schedule
329Amendment of Schedule
330Amendment of long title
331Amendment of section 2
332Amendment of section 3
333Deletion of Part 2
334Amendment of section 9
335Deletion of sections 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16
336Amendment of section 28
337Amendment of section 31
338Amendment of section 34
339Deletion of sections 39, 40 and 41
340Amendment of section 49
341Amendment of section 2
342Replacement of Part 4 heading
343Replacement of section 31W
344Deletion of section 32
345Replacement of section 33
346Deletion of section 34
347Replacement of section 35 and new sections 35A and 35B
348Deletion of sections 36, 37, 38, 39, 40 and 41
349Amendment of section 41A
350Amendment of section 42
351Amendment of section 42A
352Deletion of Part 9
353Amendment of section 82
354Amendment of section 84A
355Amendment of section 91
356Amendment of section 99
357Amendment of section 108A
358Amendment of section 110
359Amendment of section 111
360Deletion of First Schedule
361Amendment of long title
362Amendment of section 1
363Amendment of section 2
364New section 2A
365Amendment of section 3
366Amendment of section 4
367Amendment of section 6
368Amendment of section 8
369Amendment of section 9
370Amendment of section 10
371Amendment of section 11
372Amendment of section 2
373Amendment of section 23
374Amendment of section 27
375Amendment of section 2
376Amendment of section 2
377Amendment of section 3
378Amendment of section 4
379Amendment of section 5
380Amendment of section 21I
381Amendment of section 29
382Deletion of sections 38 and 39
383Amendment of section 42
384Amendment of section 44
385Amendment of section 55A
386Amendment of section 57
387Amendment of section 63
388Amendment of section 67
389Amendment of section 68
390Amendment of section 2
391Amendment of section 10L
392Deletion of provisions relating to food safety offences
393Deletion of provisions relating to food safety measures
394Deletion of provisions relating to marketing and public health promotion
395Repeal
396Amendment of section 2
397Amendment of section 5
398Amendment of section 6
399Amendment of section 2
400Amendment relating to misleading labels
401Amendment relating to product unfit for human consumption
402Validation
403Repeal
404New section 9A
405Saving and transitional provisions

Schedules

1Licensable food business
2Saving and transitional provisions

Food Safety and Security Act 2025 · Updated to 1 Jul 2026 · Part 13 · Monitoring and Enforcement

264. Proof of exemptions or reasonable excuse

No plain-English summary for s 264 yet. See the rest of this law

Official textFrom Singapore Statutes Online, unchanged

In a prosecution of a person for an offence under this Act, the onus of proving that —

(a)

at the time of the alleged offence a person was exempted from a provision of this Act; or

(b)

anything was done or omitted to be done with lawful excuse or authority or reasonable excuse,lies upon the person making that assertion.

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Part 14

Administration

Read on from Part 14

Part 15

Regulations and Codes

Read on from Part 15

Part 16

Miscellaneous

Read on from Part 16

Part 17

Amendments to Other Acts and Final Provisions

Read on from Part 17

Schedules

Read on from Schedules

Details

Food Safety and Security Act 2025 · s 264

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Singapore Statutes Online · Food Safety and Security Act 2025, Updated to 1 Jul 2026. Reader record updated on 7 Oct 2026.

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