Singapore has introduced ‘Nutri-Grade' labelling requirements and prohibitions for freshly prepared drinks to inform consumers about the sugar and saturated fat content.

This move was announced by the Singapore Ministry of Health (MOH), with the changes having come into force on 30 December 2023.

As per the MOH’s announcement, the initiative has been implemented across both retail and non-retail settings across the country.

Retail settings include catering establishments, food and beverage outlets, and digital platforms while non-retail settings include healthcare institutions, workplaces, educational institutions, and childcare facilities.

The Nutri-Grade system assigns colour-coded grades from A, B, C and D, with grade D indicating the highest levels of sugar and saturated fat.

“We encourage Singaporeans to limit their intake of beverages labelled C and D, and choose beverages graded A or B and/or with the Healthier Choice Symbol, or drink water instead, to further reduce their sugar intake,” the MOH said.

Retailers have the option to use a simplified Nutri-Grade mark for menus listing multiple beverage options.

While labelling for A and B-graded beverages is not mandatory, the sugar content of additional toppings such as pearls and whipped cream must be displayed by retailers.

In addition, advertisements for D-graded drinks are prohibited under the new regulations.

The new changes already applied to prepacked beverages and non-customisable dispensed drinks.