UPDATE ON "MY HEALTHY PLATE" GUIDELINES FOR ULTRA-PROCESSED FOOD CONSUMPTION TRACKING AND HEALTH IMPACT AMONG SINGAPOREANS

NOTICE PAPER NO. 447

NOTICE OF QUESTION FOR WRITTEN ANSWER

FOR THE SITTING OF PARLIAMENT ON 3 FEBRUARY 2026

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament

Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song

MP for Aljunied GRC

Question No. 922

To ask the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health in light of the 2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans which prioritise real whole foods over ultra-processed foods (a) what is the Ministry’s assessment of the guidelines’ applicability to Singaporeans; (b) whether the Ministry tracks Singaporeans’ average percentage of daily caloric intake from ultra-processed foods; and (c) whether the Ministry will update the My Healthy Plate guidelines to specifically discourage ultra-processed foods.

NOTICE PAPER NO. 435

NOTICE OF QUESTION FOR ORAL ANSWER

FOR THE SITTING OF PARLIAMENT ON OR AFTER 4 FEBRUARY 2026

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament

Mr Yip Hon Weng

MP for Yio Chu Kang

Question No. 1272

To ask the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health in light of the US nutrition policy shift towards whole foods and limiting processed ingredients (a) whether the Ministry is assessing its relevance to Singapore’s dietary guidelines and chronic disease management; and (b) what impact, if any, will this have on current health policies.

Answer

1         This reply will also address a similar question for oral answer raised by Mr Yip Hon Weng for a subsequent sitting.

2         HPB’s latest National Nutrition Survey shows that ultra-processed foods (UPFs) account for less than one-third of Singapore residents’ total caloric intake. This is lower than that in Western countries such as the United Kingdom and United States, where UPFs contribute to more than half of total caloric intake. Generally, products with higher levels of processing have less favourable nutrient profiles which are characterised by elevated caloric density, excessive nutrients of concern, and reduced dietary fibre and essential vitamins. Our current guidelines already discourage consumption of such foods based on their nutrient profiles.

3         We will continue to monitor emerging evidence and international developments, as well as encourage industry reformulation to improve nutrient profiles of food products via our Healthier Choice Symbol programme.