FOOD manufacturers in Singapore now have a one-stop database of international regulations that should make the exporting process a piece of cake.

The database, launched yesterday by Spring Singapore, outlines technical requirements on exporting food products to more than 30 countries. It includes information on regulatory requirements and general labelling rules.

The database - called the Food Import Regulations and Standards - is expected to streamline the compliance process for exporters, reducing their costs while improving their efficiency.

It is seen as a welcome boost, given the complexity of international regulations.

In Qatar, for example, nutritional data such as energy content and a breakdown of a food product's contents into carbohydrates, fat and protein, has to be on only special items such as health and infant foods.

In Australia, on the other hand, all such information must be available on all types of food and genetically modified products.

Japan has specially stringent regulations. Ingredients such as buckwheat, peanuts, eggs, milk and seafood must be declared there. Processed foods have extra labelling regulations, and only the Japanese nutritional information labelling format may be used.

Mr Jong Voon Hoo, chief financial officer of Youcan Foods International, told The Straits Times: 'This database will be a very useful first source of information for us when we want to grow our presence internationally.

'Previously, we had difficulties getting such information from the various authorities in the respective countries.'

He added: 'Sometimes, we didn't even know whom to ask or where to look. Now at least we know where to search for such information. Of course, at the end of the day, we still need to deal with the local authorities directly, but at least the pain has been reduced.'

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