A new agency has been created in Singapore to oversee food safety beginning in April next year.The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) will be under the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources (MEWR). It will bring together food-related functions currently handled by the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA), the National Environment Agency (NEA) and the Health Sciences Authority (HSA).The AVA will be disbanded while the NEA and HSA will continue to carry out non-food related functions. The SFA will oversee food safety regulations across the supply chain. Lim Kok Thai, CEO of AVA, will be appointed in the same role for the SFA.Authorities said the move would enhance regulatory oversight over all food related matters and strengthen food safety. They added it will boost partnership opportunities with food businesses and provide better services to Singaporeans by harmonizing regulations across the three agencies.Businesses that previously had to register with NEA and AVA will only have to deal with SFA in the future.A National Centre for Food Science (NCFS) will be established under SFA to consolidate the food laboratory capabilities of the three agencies. SFA will manage foodborne disease outbreaks as well as product tracing and recalls. The agency will be able to address lapses quicker and have one point of contact for public feedback.Masagos Zulkifli, Minister for the Environment and Water Resources, said formation of the SFA was “timely” and it will help make the food supply future-ready.“Safeguarding Singapore’s food supply is increasingly challenging due to the complexities of global food supply chains as well as the impacts of climate change. We are already seeing the effects of climate change, such as plankton blooms from warmer sea waters and increasingly erratic rainfall patterns,” he said “The SFA will work closely with industry and R&D partners to develop new solutions and products, and seize global opportunities in the food industry. These could include climate-resilient farming solutions, advanced food manufacturing techniques, and food products with the Singapore quality assurance.”All non-food plant and animal related functions of AVA will be transferred to the National Parks Board (NParks) under the Ministry of National Development (MND). NParks will be the lead agency for animal and wildlife management, as well as animal and plant health.Meanwhile, Finland’s food industry will also see changes from the start of next year.The Finnish Food Safety Authority (Evira), the Finnish Agency for Rural Affairs and a part of the National Land Survey of Finland’s Centre for ICT Services will become the Finnish Food Authority (Ruokavirasto).The agency promotes, supervises and examines food safety and quality, animal health and welfare, plant health, animal feed, plant protection products, soil conditioners, plant propagation material and raw materials used in agricultural and forestry production.
(To sign up for a free subscription to Food Safety News, click here.)
The News Desk team at Food Safety News covers breaking developments, regulatory updates, recalls, and key topics shaping food safety today. These articles are produced collaboratively by our editorial staff.
A Kentucky woman has been arrested and charged with four felony counts after allegedly spraying DoorDash food with pepper spray.
Vanderburgh County Sheriff's Office said Kourtney Stevenson was
Authorities in the United Kingdom have seized bushmeat in an investigation into illegally imported products.
The National Food Crime Unit (NFCU) operation resulted in one arrest. A 57-year-old man has
A poultry keeper in England has been sentenced for forging Salmonella test results.
Investigations by the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) led to the sentencing of Jeremy Saunders of
More than 220 suspected frauds were reported in Europe in October, potentially triggering investigations in member states.
There were 223 reports in October, compared to 164 in September, 166 in
Danone U.S. is voluntarily recalling its So Delicious Dairy Free Salted Caramel Cluster Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert pints because of the potential presence of foreign materials, such as small stones
E.A. Sween Company of Eden Prairie, MN, is recalling 127,887 pounds of pulled pork sandwiches that may be contaminated with pieces of plastic, the U.S. Department of
A Kentucky woman has been arrested and charged with four felony counts after allegedly spraying DoorDash food with pepper spray.
Vanderburgh County Sheriff's Office said Kourtney Stevenson was
