Freshly Prepared Drinks Will Have Nutri-Grade Labels To Further Reduce S’poreans’ Sugar Intake

[fake_oranges]

Freshly Prepared Drinks, Including Bubble Tea, Will Have Nutri-Grade Labels: MOH​

Singaporeans who’ve been buying pre-packaged drinks outside may have noticed that they now have a Nutri-Grade label specifying their sugar content and nutritional value.

This label will now be extended to freshly prepared drinks, including our favourite bubble tea.

Source: Jason Leung on Unsplash
The move aims to further reduce our sugar intake.

Additional measures take effect from end-2023: MOH​

In a media release on Monday (13 Feb), the Ministry of Health (MOH) announced additional measures meant to help Singaporeans make healthier and better-informed choices.

These involve the extension of Nutri-Grade labelling requirements and advertising prohibitions from the end of 2023.

It’s hoped that they will further reduce the population’s sugar intake.

Currently, pre-packaged sweet beverages already have Nutri-Grade labels that state their grading and sugar content.

Source: FairPrice

Freshly prepared drinks must have Nutri-Grade label​

MOH noted that freshly prepared beverages are “another large and growing source of sugar” for Singaporeans.

Thus, like pre-packaged drinks, they will have Nutri-Grade labels “A”, “B”, “C” or “D” based on their sugar and saturated fat content.

Source: MOH
“A” will be the healthiest and “D”, the unhealthiest.

Beverages affected include bubble tea​

The beverages affected will include:

1. bubble tea
2. freshly brewed coffee or tea
3. freshly squeezed juices
4. freshly blended smoothies
5. freshly prepared herbal drinks
6. beverages dispensed from machines

The grade must be applied to freshly prepared beverages sold at both retail and non-retail settings. This ranges from F&B outlets and catering establishments to hotels, workplaces, educational institutions, healthcare institutions and childcare facilities.

Source: Fahmi Fakhrudin on Unsplash

Extra measures for ‘C’ & ‘D’ grades​

Extra measures must be taken for beverages that are graded “C” and “D”, MOH said.

In these cases, the Nutri-Grade label must be shown next to the individual item when it’s listed for sale at the point of purchase, for example on physical or online menus.


This is to better help consumers in their decision-making when ordering drinks.

A simplified Nutri-Grade label will be available for this purpose.

Source: MOH
This label will be optional for beverages graded “A” or “B”.

Furthermore, information about the beverage concerned, including the amount of sugar and saturated fat, must be available to anybody to wants to see it. This can be via an electronic record or physical copy.

Lastly, freshly prepared grade “D” beverages cannot be advertised.

Sugar declaration for toppings, too​

Many customers like to add toppings to their beverages, especially bubble tea.

A sugar declaration mark is also available for toppings, which will look something like this:

Source: Health Promotion Board

Thus, a typical bubble tea stall menu in future may look like this:

https://mustsharenews.com/drinks-nutri-grade/

 

[FireEmblem]

Jitao put all D loh

 

[Perisher]

this also label?

 

[Laguna123]

Like that those hawker squeezed juice also need to put label?

 

[Laguna123]

this also label?

The kopi uncle will curse and swear.

 

[Go Fly Kite]

What they do best. 做人没空 (hokkien). Causing manufacturers/sellers headache.

 

[Perisher]

The kopi uncle will curse and swear.

increase manpower cost indirectly...

 

[Ctrl_Alt_Del]

Who is the supplier for the stickers. Huat big big. Drink manufacturer will pass the extra cost to consumer.

Govt ban plastic straw and plastic bag to go green then promote paste plastic stickers on every prepared drink.

 

[Acetone]

Next time just order: Kopi Nutri-grade A

 

[Laguna123]

increase manpower cost indirectly...

Also cost of needing to buy these sticker.

 

[kiatkiat]

Like that those alcohol will have A or B grading coz almost no sugar or abit only. Please start drinking them instead of those sugary drinks to stay healthy

 

[elimmel]

reminds me of the grading for stall cleanliness... after a while, nobody cares.
btw, adding more labels increase carbon footprint?

 

[kuti-kuti]

All the medical halls outside shops selling 涼茶 how?

 

[poooooo]

The meji milk i usually drink is graded C, high in fat but can't be worst than any fruit juices, soft drink or this "B" graded milo, in terms of beneficial for health..... seem like a stupid useless metrics.

 

[iosnewbie]

Hawkers will start charging 30 cents per label applied. 10 cents material cost, 10 cents labor cost to stick the label, 10 cents labor cost to dispose of the label.

 

[fake_oranges]

Also cost of needing to buy these sticker.

where will worry?
Each drink increase by $0.50 for the cost of sticker and manpower needed to design and stick

 

[iosnewbie]

Who is the supplier for the stickers. Huat big big. Drink manufacturer will pass the extra cost to consumer.

Govt ban plastic straw and plastic bag to go green then promote paste plastic stickers on every prepared drink.

Food safe material for such stickers could be expensive also.

 

[fake_oranges]

The meji milk i usually drink is graded C, high in fat but can't be worst than any fruit juices, soft drink or this "B" graded milo, in terms of beneficial for health..... seem like a stupid useless metrics.

fruit juice is natural sugar wont get diabetes right?

 

[yamakazi51]

Lol, they think people who clearly wants to drink bubble tea really care about the sugar content?

 

[fake_oranges]

Food safe material for such stickers could be expensive also.

$2 for hot kopi coming up