Introduction

As the Lunar New Year approaches, many Singapore residents are gearing up to indulge in festive delights, with bak kwa being a top choice. But if you're considering a trip to Malaysia to stock up on this delicious delicacy, you might want to double-check the latest rules before packing those boxes!

New Food Safety and Security Bill (FSSB) Passed

Recently, on January 8, Singapore's Parliament passed the Food Safety and Security Bill (FSSB)—a legislative move aimed at increasing the limits for food brought into Singapore for personal consumption. Under these new rules, travelers will soon be able to bring in a whopping 15kg of various food categories from overseas, a significant increase from the existing limit of just 5kg for meat and seafood.

Misinterpretation of Timeline

However, despite the excitement and anticipation around these updates, it appears that some eager bak kwa enthusiasts misinterpreted the timeline for these changes. Reports surfaced of individuals attempting to carry bak kwa worth hundreds of ringgit back into Singapore, only to face disappointment at the border.

Customs Officials' Intervention

Customs officials instructed them to discard their beloved meat treats, highlighting that the revised regulations haven't come into effect yet. One frustrated netizen recounted his ordeal on social media, sharing that he had to throw away S$150 worth of bak kwa, while another reported losing S$75 worth of similar goods.

SFA's Reminder

The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) quickly issued a reminder via their social media channels, emphasizing that Malaysia is currently not an approved source for importing meat products into Singapore, and the new rules won’t apply until the FSSB is officially in force.

Stricter Scrutiny on Certain Food Types

Currently, certain food types, including game meat and animal blood products, face stricter scrutiny due to health risks. Minister Grace Fu noted during the second reading of the Bill that these specific items would still be restricted when it comes to the private consumption limit.

Future Provisions and Implementation

The SFA has stated that while the new provisions are on the horizon, the existing regulations will remain until the FSSB is enacted. Travelers and food lovers will have to be patient, as full implementation of these changes is projected to roll out in stages between the second half of 2025 and 2028.

Conclusion

So, if you're hoping to bring back those tempting boxes of bak kwa from Malaysia any time soon, hold your horses! Stay tuned for updates from the SFA regarding the upcoming changes, and plan your festive treats accordingly.