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AVA’s regulations on expiry date-mark and labeling

According to the Food Regulations under the Agri-food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA), the pre-packed food products listed in the Regulations shall bear a date-mark to indicate the food content’s expiry date.  The date-mark must be permanently marked or embossed on the package or label of the package.  This is the date after which the food, when kept in accordance with any storage conditions indicated on the label, may not retain its normal nature and quality.

The expiry date should be qualified by words like "USE BY", "SELL BY", "EXPIRY DATE", "BEST BEFORE" or other words of similar meaning in the English language.  Where the validity of the date-mark is dependent on its storage, the storage direction of that food must be stated on the label or package.

In addition, any pre-packed food is required to bear a food label with the following information of the food product in English :

a.      Common product name

b.      Ingredient listing

c.      Net weight

d.      Name and address of the local manufacturer for a food of local origin or the importer and the country of origin in the case of an imported food

 Source: Consumers Association of Singapore Press Release 17 May 2005