4. Labeling Requirements

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4. Labeling Requirements

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Beers, RTDs, Whisky
Singapore

This section provides information on labeling requirements and the label approval process.

4.1 Mandatory Labeling Parameters

General Food

According to Regulation 5(4) of Singapore’s Food Regulations, the general mandatory labeling requirements are listed below (more details for each requirement are available in Regulation 5) [1]:

Product Name: Common name or a description
Ingredient list: Statement of ingredients (specified in descending order of the proportions by weight in which they are present)
Net quantity of the food
[Effective from 30 Jan 2026 #] An identification number of mark (like a lot number, batch number, or serial number) that identifies the producing factory and production lot of the food
Imported food: the name and address of the local importer, distributor, or agent and the name of the country of origin of the food (imported food)
Allergen: foods and ingredients that are known to cause hypersensitivity including allergens from food or food ingredient obtained through biotechnology
[Effective from 30 Jan 2026 #] Directions on the use or handling of the food, if incorrect use or handling of the food would render the food unsafe or unsuitable.

# The Food (Amendment) Regulations 2025 [3], which will come into operation on 30 Jan 2026, amends Regulation 5 where labeling requirements are added with a more detailed explanation or removed, and the definition for “processing aid” is added.

Particulars 1, 2, and 3 shall be in printed letters not less than 1.5mm in height, appear conspicuously and in a prominent position on the label, and shall be clearly legible. [Note: With effect from 30 Jan 2026 #, the specific font size requirement of 1.5mm for Particulars 1, 2, and 3 would be removed.]

Notwithstanding, words required to be printed in a prescribed size may be printed in reduced size clearly legible when a package containing food for sale is so small as to prevent the use of wording of the prescribed size.

Processing aids, as stipulated in the Codex Procedural Manual, are exempted from the declaration in the list of ingredients [2]. The Codex Procedural Manual defines processing aids as “any substance or material, not including apparatus or utensils, and not consumed as a food ingredient by itself, intentionally used in the processing of raw materials, foods or its ingredients to fulfill a certain technological purpose during treatment or processing and which may result in the non-intentional but unavoidable presence of residues or derivatives in the final products.”

[Note: With effect from 30 Jan 2026 #, Regulation 5 defines: “Processing aid” means any substance or material used to perform a technological function in the treatment or processing of any food that may result in the non-intentional but unavoidable presence of residue or derivative of the substance or material in the final products, other than a) an apparatus or utensil, b) an ingredient consumed on its own, and c) a food or an ingredient that is known to cause hypersensitivity.]

Additional Mandatory Labeling Requirements for Specific Foods [1]

Date-Marking using the following format:
1. “USE BY (here insert the day, month, and year)”;
2. “SELL BY (here insert the day, month, and year)”;
3. “EXPIRY DATE (here insert the day, month, and year)”; or
4. “BEST BEFORE (here insert the day, month, and year)” – same meaning as “USE BY”

Where the validity of the date mark of any prepacked food to which this regulation applies is dependent on its storage, the storage direction of that food shall also be stated on its label or package. The date mark shall be shown clearly and the size of the letters shall not be less than 3 mm in height. Where the products are packed in bulk, it shall be sufficient to state either the date of manufacture or the expiry date.

Advisory statements on consumption by children for certain food categories with sweetening agents
Nutrition labeling is required when nutrition claims or permitted health claims are made
Advisory statements for food containing certain ingredients. Based on Regulation 5(4)(f), an advisory statement “PHENYLKETONURICS: CONTAINS PHENYLALANINE.” or any other statement to the same effect shall be provided on the labeling.

Category

Alcoholic drinks

General Labeling Requirements:

Same as "General Food" above except that the ingredient list is not required on the label of intoxicating liquor as stated in Regulation 6(3) [1].

Additional Labeling Requirements – Date-Marking:

If the intoxicating liquor is “food which is stored or required to be stored at a chilling temperature to maintain or prolong its durable life”, date-marking is required on its label.

Product

1) Beer

Same as "Category" (alcoholic drinks) above.

2) Ready-to-drink beverages (mainly Chuhai)

Same as "Category" (alcoholic drinks) above.

3) Whisky

Same as "Category" (alcoholic drinks) above.

4.2 Languages

General Food

Regulation 5(2) of the Food Regulations states that product labeling shall be in English [1].

Category

Alcoholic drinks

Same as "General Food" above.

Product

1) Beer

Same as "Category" (alcoholic drinks) above.

2) Ready-to-drink beverages (mainly Chuhai)

Same as "Category" (alcoholic drinks) above.

3) Whisky

Same as "Category" (alcoholic drinks) above.

4.3 Mandatory Information on Stickers

General Food

The use of sticker labels for mandatory labeling information is acceptable if the sticker label used is firmly attached to the product at all times, and it does not cover other essential information required under the Food Regulations. The information made available on the sticker labels should not contradict those declared on the original label [2].

Category

Alcoholic drinks

Same as "General Food" above.

Product

1) Beer

Same as "Category" (alcoholic drinks) above.

2) Ready-to-drink beverages (mainly Chuhai)

Same as "Category" (alcoholic drinks) above.

3) Whisky

Same as "Category" (alcoholic drinks) above.

4.4 Product Legal Name

Product

1) Beer

“Ale”, “beer”, “lager”, “porter” or “stout” can be used as product names as long as they are compliant with Regulation 186. (Refer to Section 2.2 of this guidebook) [1].

2) Ready-to-drink beverages (mainly Chuhai)

Intoxicating liquor must use an acceptable common name/description as a product name that is sufficient to indicate the product's true nature [1].

3) Whisky

“Whisky” must be used as a product name as long as compliant with Regulation 204(1) [1]. (Refer to Section 2.2).

4.5 Product-specific Labeling Statements

Category

Alcoholic drinks [2]

To be in line with international practice, when cereals, whey, and nuts are used as distillates for alcoholic beverages, or fish gelatine or isinglass as fining/clarifying agents in beer and wine, these ingredients are not required to be declared on the label.

Food business operators must bear full responsibility for ensuring that the information they choose not to declare does not, in fact, cause harm to customers.

Product

1) Beer

Same as "Category" (alcoholic drinks) above.

2) Ready-to-drink beverages (mainly Chuhai)

Same as "Category" (alcoholic drinks) above.

3) Whisky

Same as "Category" (alcoholic drinks) above.