MOH: Nutrition Labels for Freshly Prepared Beverages With Higher Sugar and Fat Content Required by End of 2023

Outlets selling freshly prepared beverages with higher sugar and saturated fat content will be required to include nutritional labels on their hard and softcopy menus by end of 2023, Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said on Thursday, Aug. 11. These include bubble teas, freshly squeezed juices, and freshly brewed drinks from coffee shops.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 19th International Society for Peritoneal Dialysis (ISPD) Congress 2022, Minister Ong addressed the much-needed improvement in the care of patients suffering from kidney failure and the prevention of diabetes. He also mentioned the need to improve disease management.

“One key risk factor for diabetes is obesity, a result of excessive energy intake from an unhealthy diet. Obesity prevalence is going up in Singapore,” he said.

“The long-term, sustainable, and most sensible course of action is early detection and preventive care against diabetes, to reduce chronic kidney disease and complications. Hence the Ministry of Health (MOH) has been working with partners, such as the Health Promotion Board (HPB), to support Singaporeans in leading healthier lives,” he added.

Minister Ong said the MOPH and HPB will be stepping up their efforts to reduce the sugar intake of Singaporeans. Among these are their latest measure to require outlets to label on their menus (both hard and softcopy) the beverages higher in sugar and saturated fat with the Nutri-Grade mark.

“I hope more Singaporeans will realise that less sugar will bring out the natural flavours of the drinks and we may well find them more enjoyable. More importantly, it keeps us healthy, and staves off a very scary disease in diabetes.”