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Product Regulation & Liability

Singapore: Singapore Food Agency approves 16 insect species for human consumption

By and 3 Mins Read

In brief

On 8 July, the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) approved 16 insect species for human consumption and animal feed, including various species of crickets, mealworms and moths. The SFA has also put in place requirements that importers have to adhere to for importing insects and insect products.

In more detail

By way of background, the SFA has developed an Insect Regulatory Framework, which puts in place guidelines for insects to be approved as food items.

The framework encompasses guidelines for businesses that intend to import, farm or process insects into food for human consumption or animal feed. These guidelines were developed with reference to countries and regions that have allowed the consumption of certain insects as food, including the European Union, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea and Thailand. Currently, there are no international standards set on the sale or consumption of insects as food or animal feed.

The guidelines consist of the following key points:

  • The species of insect must be assessed to have a history of consumption.
  • Contaminants must not be introduced in the farming and processing of insects and insect products.
  • The final product must be safe for consumption.

The SFA has now approved the consumption of 16 insect species for food. For other insect species to be approved for human consumption, the SFA will make an evaluation on the basis of the following information:

  • The scientific name of the insect and intended life stage(s) meant for human consumption
  • Details of the farming and/or processing method, including the type of substrate (i.e., material used for feeding insects)
  • Evidence of history of use as a human food in a country other than Singapore
  • Information relied on to establish that the species and life stage are safe for consumption (e.g., scientific literature or laboratory reports)
  • A Singapore address or entity of the applicant

In respect of the import of insects and insect products, the SFA has also concomitantly introduced certain guidelines. These include having to submit documentary proof that products are manufactured in properly regulated premises and a health certificate certifying amongst others that insects are not harvested from the wild. There are also additional requirements, which differ depending on whether the insects and insect products are imported for human consumption or as animal feed for food-producing animals, or if the insects are live insects for local farming for human consumption or as animal feed.

Key takeaways

The approval of these insect species for human consumption and animal feed is a welcome development as insects have long been touted as a sustainable alternative to meat. This announcement is also welcome as businesses in the insect food space finally have some clarity as to the approval of their products and the regulations and guidelines in place to obtain such approval.

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Andy Leck is the head of the Intellectual Property and Technology (IPTech) Practice Group and a member of the Dispute Resolution Practice Group in Singapore. He is a core member of Baker McKenzie's regional IP practice and also leads the Myanmar IP Practice Group. Andy is recognised by reputable global industry and legal publications as a leader in his field. He was named on "The A-List: Singapore's Top 100 lawyers" by Asia Business Law Journal 2018. In addition, Chambers Asia Pacific notes that Andy is "a well-known IP practitioner who is highlighted for his record of handling major trade mark litigation, as well as commercial exploitation of IP rights in the media and technology sectors. He's been in the industry for a long time and has always been held in high regard. He is known to be very fair and is someone you would like to be in the trenches with you during negotiations." Furthermore, Asian Legal Business acknowledges Andy as a leading practitioner in his field and notes that he “always gives good, quick advice, [is] client-focused and has strong technical knowledge for his areas of practice.” Andy was appointed by the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) as an IP Adjudicator to hear disputes at IPOS for a two-year term from April 2021. He has been an appointed member of the Singapore Copyright Tribunal since May 2010 and a mediator with the WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center. He is also appointed as a Notary Public & Commissioner for Oaths in Singapore. He previously served on the International Trademark Association’s Board of Directors and was a member of the executive committee.

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Ren Jun Lim is a principal with Baker McKenzie Wong & Leow. He represents local and international clients in both contentious and non-contentious intellectual property matters. He also advises on a full range of healthcare, as well as consumer goods-related legal and regulatory issues. Ren Jun co-leads Baker McKenzie Wong & Leow's Healthcare as well as Consumer Goods & Retail industry groups. He sits on the Law Society of Singapore IP Committee and on the Executive Committee of the Association of Information Security Professionals. He is also a member of the Vaccines Working Group, Singapore Association of Pharmaceutical Industries, a member of the International Trademark Association, as well as a member of the Regulatory Affairs Professionals Association. Ren Jun is ranked in the Silver tier for Individuals: Enforcement and Litigation and Individuals: Prosecution and Strategy, and a recommended lawyer for Individuals: Transactions by WTR 1000, 2020. He is also listed in Asia IP's Best 50 IP Expert, 2020, recognised as a Rising Star by Managing IP: IP Stars, 2019 and one of Singapore's 70 most influential lawyers aged 40 and under by Singapore Business Review, 2016. Ren Jun was acknowledged by WTR 1000 as a "trademark connoisseur who boasts supplementary knowledge of regulatory issues in the consumer products industry." He was also commended by clients for being "very responsive to enquiries and with a keen eye for detail, he is extremely hands-on. His meticulous and in-depth approach to strategising is key to the excellent outcomes we enjoy."

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