A pre-statutory voluntary notification scheme will be launched October 1 for milk, milk beverage, cream and frozen confection importers and distributors, the Centre for Food Safety says. The scheme for vegetables and fruit will start November followed by fish and fishery products in December.

The list of importers and distributors will be available here for the reference of local wholesalers and retailers.

The centre will table a food safety bill introducing new concepts and principles clearly defining safety requirements and responsibilities of food business operators.

One of the new measures is to require local food importers and distributors to enrol with the centre to help trace food sources and take follow-up action in food incidents.

Before the enactment of the new legislation and the mandatory notification scheme, the pre-statutory voluntary notification scheme will be introduced to enable the trade to get familiar with the future mandatory notification requirement.

The pre-statutory voluntary notification schemes for game, meat and poultry meat as well as live food animals and live poultry importers and distributors were launched August 1 and September 1.

The centre today briefed milk, milk beverage, cream and frozen confection importers and distributors on the notification scheme. They can apply for the scheme by downloading the electronic notification form here from October 1. For enquiries call 2867 5582.