Singapore: Policy Highlights and Opportunities

Each year Singapore generates more than 700,000 tons of food waste, and food loss and waste in Singapore has increased 20-30% over the past decade. At the same time, 1 in 10 households face food insecurity.

Atlas Research: Singapore

Legal Guide

Learn more about the legal frameworks relevant to food donation and how Singapore's existing laws and policies support or hinder the country's progress.

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Policy Recommendations

Dive into recommendations for policymakers based on the gaps and opportunities identified in the legal guides.

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Executive Summary

Read highlights of the research findings and our high-level recommendations.

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Policy Highlights

Singapore research was published in April 2021 and was made possible with the advice and support of our on-site partners, including The Food Bank Singapore.

Food Safety for Donations

In many countries, lack of knowledge or readily available guidance regarding safety procedures for donated food leads to food going to waste instead of being donated.

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Singapore’s National Environment Agency issued Guidelines on Food Donation in 2016 which outline the responsibilities of donors and food recovery organizations recipients.

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Tax Incentives and Barriers

In Singapore, while there are currently no tax incentives for the donation of food, there also are no tax barriers to donating food.

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In order to offset the costs businesses may incur when donating food, the federal government should offer incentives.

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Policy Opportunities and Recommendations

Liability Protection for Food Donations

Singapore does not currently offer any liability protection for food donors or food recovery organizations. Without such protections, food donors and intermediaries may refrain from food donation and recovery,

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fearing potential liability should a final beneficiary claim they were harmed after consuming the donated food.

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Date Labeling

Singapore’s date labeling scheme fails to provide food donors and food recovery organizations with clear direction on the proper meaning and application of these labels.

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The government should update the Food Regulations to establish a dual date labeling system that clearly distinguishes between safety-based and qualitybased date labels.

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Government Grants & Incentives

National grant or incentive programs can be an important resource for food donation initiatives, especially as an alternative or supplement to tax incentives. Government recognition programs can also function as a significant incentive for food donors.

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Yet there are currently no national grants or public funding mechanisms specifically designed to support food donation in Singapore.

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Mapping food donation policies around the world

The Atlas map compares food donation laws and policies in different countries and evaluates legislation across several issue areas. Use the map to see where your country stands and learn from best practices around the world.

Explore Interactive Map

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About Us

Learn about the project and the partners behind this flagship research.

Methodology

Read our detailed project methodology rooted in inclusion, accuracy, and transparency.

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