We thank Forum writer Huang Kangrui for the feedback (Complete ingredients list needed on health and beauty products, March 14).

The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) and Singapore Food Agency (SFA) oversee the regulation of health products and food products in Singapore through risk-calibrated regulatory frameworks.

For example, medicines contain potent ingredients or chemicals and are therefore subjected to more stringent controls as compared to health and beauty supplements like vitamin pills, and food supplements like juices.

Although health, beauty and food supplements do not require pre-market approval, dealers must comply with specific regulations, including appropriate labelling of their products.

Suppliers of health, beauty and food supplements must ensure that their products are labelled with the required information in English. For health and beauty supplements, this includes active ingredients, their quantities and allergens (certain colourants and preservatives). Prepackaged food products should include the ingredients, the country of origin and the name and address of the local importer.

HSA and SFA conduct random checks to ensure that products on the local market adhere to these labelling requirements.

Even with these measures in place, due to the wide diversity of these products, consumers may still come across some health, beauty and food supplements that are not adequately labelled. Consumers should exercise their judgment when considering buying these products.

Additionally, consumers who choose to buy online, especially those from overseas platforms, should exercise care as foreign sellers may sell products that are manufactured and packaged according to another country’s labelling requirements.

Consumers are encouraged to buy their health, beauty and food supplements from reliable sources, including pharmacies, reputable retailers, and those with an established retail presence in Singapore.

Consumers should also watch out for products that make medical claims about treatment or prevention of diseases and claims that are too good to be true. HSA has established a database of safe and good quality health supplements at www.hsa.gov.sg/vns-list for consumers to refer to.

Lee Hui Keng  Director (Covering)Complementary Health Products BranchHealth Products Regulation GroupHea...