Proposed Amendments to the Food Regulations Regarding Arsenic Limit in Polished Rice

Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority - Regulatory Programmes Department

Consultation Period: 29 Jul 2015 - 02 Oct 2015

Status: Closed

Detailed Description

Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority

Target Audience: Rice Importers

The Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) is seeking feedback from rice importers on proposed amendments to the Food Regulations concerning the maximum limit for arsenic in polished rice.

2          Maximum limits for incidental constituents, commonly termed “contaminants” are specified under the Food Regulations. Arsenic is a naturally occurring element, and is present in many foods due to absorption from the soil and water. In order to safeguard consumer health, maximum limits for arsenic in food are specified under the Food Regulations.

3          AVA proposes to adopt a new limit of 0.2 ppm for inorganic arsenic in polished rice. The proposed new limit is consistent with the maximum limit of 0.2 ppm (inorganic arsenic) adopted by the Codex Alimentarius Commission[1] in 2014. The proposed new limit will ensure that consumers are better protected from overexposure to arsenic. 

4          The proposed new limit will apply to polished rice, which includes all white rice, basmati rice, parboiled rice, ponni rice, and milled glutinous rice (i.e. bran removed). The new limit will also apply to  polished rice imported for manufacturing purposes,  but would not be applicable to other rice  such as unmilled glutinous rice, brown rice, red rice, cargo rice and wild rice. Once the amendments take effect, polished rice containing inorganic arsenic at levels exceeding the new limit will not be allowed for import into Singapore for sale or manufacturing purpose.

5          More information on the proposed changes can be found in the attached consultation document. AVA invites views and comments on:

         i. Whether the polished rice imported by your company is able to comply with the new proposed maximum limit of 0.2 ppm inorganic arsenic.

         ii. Whether your company would be able to find alternative sources should your imported polished rice be unable to comply with the new proposed maximum limit, and the estimated timeframe required to do so. 

6          All submissions should be clearly and concisely written, and should provide a reasoned explanation for any proposed revisions. Submissions should reach AVA no later than 12:00 p.m., 02 Oct 2015, through mail, or email, to the following addresses:

Mail: 
Regulatory Programmes Department
Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore
52 Jurong Gateway Road #14-01 Singapore 608550 
(Attention: Mr Cheng Chee Seng)

Email: cheng_chee_seng@ava.gov.sg

Proposed Amendments To The Food Regulations Regarding Arsenic Limit In Polished Rice [PDF, 52 KB]