You might remember hearing about a milk scandal back in 2008 when China milk products were found to contain melamine, a harmful chemical. This caused a lot of worry as it led to kidney damage and even deaths among children. To keep us safe, the SFA put in place some extra requirements for these products.
Easing of 2008 Melamine-related Regulations for China Milk Products
Beginning November 1, 2023, the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) will remove melamine-related import requirements for milk products from China. These changes come after a thorough review by the SFA, but parents can rest assured that these products will still undergo stringent checks and comply with other import prerequisites.
Safety Measures Then and Now
The 2008 regulations required establishments approved for export by Chinese authorities to produce all imported milk products from China. Manufacturers had to test each batch of their raw materials and end products for melamine contamination. Chinese authorities were also required to inspect and test each batch of products and issue health certificates declaring the results of melamine tests.
However, China's strengthened measures to supervise and administer their dairy products will lift these requirements from November 1, 2023. These measures include tighter production licensing, stronger inspection, detection, monitoring, and evaluation, and harsher penalties for products found with melamine.
Despite the loosening of these specific requirements, SFA will continue to subject all milk and milk products imported from China to checks, and they must comply with other existing import requirements. We will maintain our top priority of ensuring the safety of our children.
China Milk Products: Your Questions Answered
We know that as parents, nothing is more important than the health and safety of our little ones.
As we navigate these changes, your questions and feedback are important. If you have further inquiries on the import of milk and milk products from China, please reach out to SFA at sfa.gov.sg/feedback. Together, we can ensure that our children continue to enjoy safe and nutritious milk products.
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