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WOG Healthier Drinks Policy

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Singaporeans are consuming too much sugar, mostly from sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs). This is a serious problem because over-consumption of sugar can lead to obesity and increase our risk of Type 2 diabetes. To reduce intake of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), the government has taken the lead by making healthier, lower-sugar drinks the default at government premises. This fosters a supportive environment for Singaporeans to adopt a healthier diet.

What is the WOG Healthier Drinks Policy?

Under the WOG Healthier Drinks Policy, all drinks sold or provided at government premises must comply with the policy requirements to have lower or no sugar. To ensure a level playing field, this policy covers all settings including vending machines, retail stores, food and beverage (F&B) outlets, meeting rooms and drinks procured by agencies for staff pantries, and applies to both current and prospective contracts and leases.


What are the policy requirements?

Please refer to the below for the different requirements.
Pre-packaged drinks

Definition

  1. Drinks that are ready-to-drink without further preparation (e.g. in a bottle, can, carton, bag-in-box or other similar container, including fountain drinks and drink dispensers); OR
  2. Products in powder form that require reconstitution according to dilution instructions on the packaging (e.g. 3-in-1, 2-in-1 premixes).
Requirements

All drinks must be either

Pre-packaged drinks that do not belong in any HCS categories will have to comply with the sugar guidelines for “Sweetened drinks – non-carbonated drinks” (≤5% total sugar).

Freshly prepared hot coffee/ tea/ malted drinks
Definition
  1. Hot coffee/ tea/ malted drinks that are prepared onsite before serving (e.g. drinks with final preparations like addition of sugar/ water/ milk on the spot upon ordering by customers).
Requirements
  • Drinks must be prepared and served with no added sugar (i.e. ‘ko-song’ by default).

  • Sugar may be provided at the side for consumers to take/ add on their own.

  • Operators may continue to add condensed milk and evaporated milk. However, they are strongly encouraged to reduce the amount of condensed milk to ‘siu dai’ level.

  • For hot coffee/tea/malted drinks that are prepared using sugar-added premixes, the premixes should be compliant with HCS guidelines and they should be prepared in accordance with manufacturers’ instructions on the packaging.

Other types of drinks
These drinks are strongly encouraged to follow Healthier Choice Symbol sugar guidelines where applicable:
  1. Cordials, concentrates and syrups that require reconstitution according to dilution instructions on the packaging, whether in packaged or reconstituted form;
  2. All other types of freshly prepared drinks including freshly brewed drinks (e.g. Asian drinks like barley), freshly squeezed juices, and freshly blended drinks (e.g. bubble tea, smoothies and other drinks containing flavoured milk/ soymilk).

Drinks that are not in scope of the Healthier Drinks Policy are:
  1. Milk powders
  2. Drinks recommended to be taken under medical supervision (e.g. Glucerna, Optisource, meal replacements)
  3. Alcoholic beverages  
  4. Ingredients used in the preparation of other food or drinks (e.g. honey, condensed milk, evaporated milk) 
Which government premises are covered in this policy?

Please refer to the below for the list of government premises which are covered in the Healthier Drinks Policy. 
Government premises used for government offices
  • All office premises occupied by Ministries, Statutory Boards and Organs of State located in Singapore, including Headquarters and all constituent Branches, Centres, Departments and Divisions, which may or may not be located in the same building.
  • For example, HPB building, MINDEF/SAF camps, fire stations, police posts.
Government premises used for government business transactions
  • All Government Service Centres where public can raise enquiries or seek assistance with government transactions or services.
  • For example, Housing & Development Board Branches and Service Centres.
Government premises used for the promotion of health and wellness
  • Parks and nature reserves
  • Reservoirs
  • Sports facilities
  • Community centres/clubs and resident committees
  • Healthcare institutions

All settings that sell or provide drinks at these premises must comply with the Healthier Drinks Policy, except F&B establishments in these premises that are licensed by National Environment Agency as a ‘restaurant’, ‘café’, ‘snack bar’ or ‘eating house/ food court/ canteen’. These F&B establishments are required to either become a Healthier Dining Programme Partner or comply with the Healthier Drinks Policy upon lease renewal.

Government premises used for education
  • Polytechnics and ITE
  • Public libraries
  • The Science Centre
All settings that sell or provide drinks at these premises must comply with the Healthier Drinks Policy, except F&B establishments in these premises that are licensed by National Environment Agency as a ‘restaurant’, ‘café’, ‘snack bar’ or ‘eating house/ food court/ canteen’. These F&B establishments are required to either become a Healthier Dining Programme Partner or comply with the Healthier Drinks Policy upon lease renewal.
Other Government premises

All other Government premises not included in the above 4 categories are encouraged to comply with the Healthier Drinks Policy. For example:

  • Places of interest and tourist attractions (e.g. museums, Sentosa)
  • Premises for retail purpose (e.g. shopping complexes)
  • Premises for residential purposes (e.g. hawker centres)
  • Premises for industrial and commercial purpose (e.g. industrial estates)
  • Premises where government agencies have no influence or control over the contracts/leases affecting sale of SSBs
  • Government-owned premises leased out to and managed by private entities who control sub-letting arrangements
  • Autonomous Universities
  • Ad-hoc events held on Government premises
Resources and Forms
  • Refer to the Healthier Drinks Policy Frequently Asked Questions for more information on the guidelines and how to comply with the policy.
  • Agencies may request for suppliers/ vendors/ tenants to complete the Healthier Drinks Declaration Form to declare that drinks sold or provided will comply with the Healthier Drinks policy requirements. The Healthier Drinks Declaration Form can be downloaded here.