Singapore’s Nutri-Grade labels, which have successfully guided healthier beverage choices, are now set to tackle salt, sauces, and instant noodles.
This expansion targets high-sodium and high-fat products to curb chronic diseases and empower consumers to make smarter, healthier choices.
Singapore’s Nutri-Grade labels, initially introduced to regulate sugary drinks, are now extending to salt, sauces, and instant noodles. These products significantly contribute to high sodium and fat intake, which are key risk factors for hypertension and heart disease.
Nutri-Grade Labels Now Target Salt and Sauces
The Nutri-Grade labelling system, first introduced in December 2022, was initially applied to pre-packaged and freshly prepared beverages to help consumers make healthier choices. These labels, which categorise products from A to D based on sugar content, successfully reduced Singaporeans’ sugar intake.
According to The Straits Times, Health Minister Ong Ye Kung announced the expansion of Nutri-Grade labels during the World Organisation of Family Doctors Asia Pacific Regional Conference on August 22, 2024.
“Many producers have reformulated their beverages to suit the newly evolved taste. Labelling, I believe, has shaped the palate of the population with regard to sugar,” Mr Ong said, as quoted in The Straits Times. The Ministry of Health (MOH) noted that this move aims to extend the benefits seen in the beverage sector to other key sources of sodium and saturated fat in the Singaporean diet.
Addressing Sodium and Fat Intake Through Labelling
Extending Nutri-Grade is part of a broader strategy to reduce Singaporeans’ sodium and fat intake. The Ministry of Health’s National Population Health Survey 2023 revealed that 90% of Singapore residents consume more sodium than the recommended daily limit of 2,000 mg.
Despite the availability of healthier alternatives, their adoption remains low. According to the MOH press release, “We are, on average, consuming about twice the daily limit at 3,620 mg a day.” This excessive intake has driven the rising prevalence of hypertension and hyperlipidaemia, which are significant risk factors for cardiovascular diseases.
Encouraging Healthier Choices with Nutri-Grade Labels
The extension of Nutri-Grade labels aims to inform consumers and drive industry reformulation towards healthier products. By labelling salt, sauces, and instant noodles from A to D, the Ministry of Health simplifies healthier choices for Singaporeans.
Mr Ong, as quoted in The Straits Times, said, “Many producers have reformulated their beverages to…suit the newly evolved taste.” Success in the beverage sector is expected to inspire similar changes in other food categories, leading to healthier eating habits.
Public Education and Industry Collaboration
Beyond labelling, public education and industry collaboration are crucial in reducing sodium and fat intake. The Health Promotion Board (HPB) has actively engaged hawker centres and food service operators to promote using lower-sodium ingredients.
By July 2024, HPB had reached 40 hawker centres, offering samples and connecting operators with lower-sodium suppliers. According to the Ministry of Health’s press release, these efforts aim to “reshape consumer behaviour and choices” by increasing access to healthier options and raising awareness of health risks.
The consultation with industry stakeholders will focus on setting nutrient thresholds to ensure labelling is “practicable and feasible,” according to the MOH press release. This initiative is a significant step in the government’s efforts to combat chronic diseases linked to unhealthy diets.
