For packaged drinks manufactured in Vietnam and sold in Singapore, the local importer must establish the correct Nutri-Grade and ensure compliant nutrition information and packaging. The Vietnamese manufacturer supplies reliable formulation and nutrient data, while the Singapore buyer controls local listing and advertising decisions. This guide covers Singapore’s beverage labelling rules, not export procedures from Vietnam or customs permits.
Check whether the packaged beverage is covered
Singapore’s Nutri-Grade rules cover ready-to-drink beverages packed in bottles, cans or cartons, and beverage powders or concentrates prepared according to labelled directions. Juice, coconut water, tea and ready-to-drink coffee may fall within scope regardless of whether sugar was added. Drinks containing more than 0.5% alcohol by volume and specified special-purpose foods fall outside the Nutri-Grade beverage definition. Food Regulations, regulation 184A.
For imported, non-freshly-prepared Nutri-Grade beverages intended for sale in covered Singapore settings, the local importer is responsible for grading under regulation 184B. The manufacturer should provide the data needed for that decision, not claim to be the local regulator or importer. The prepacked-beverage measures began on 30 December 2022. Freshly prepared drinks have additional rules from 30 December 2023, but are not the focus here. Health Promotion Board (HPB), Nutri-Grade scope.
Calculate the grade from the finished drink
The grade is the poorer result of sugar and saturated-fat grading, assessed per 100 mL. For sugar grading, subtract lactose and galactose only when declared on the Nutrition Information Panel (NIP). Otherwise, treat those amounts as zero. Beverage powders and concentrates are assessed as prepared using the labelled instructions. Food Regulations, Sixteenth Schedule.
Grade | Sugar (g/100 mL) | Saturated fat (g/100 mL) |
|---|---|---|
A | ≤1 | ≤0.7 |
B | >1 to ≤5 | >0.7 to ≤1.2 |
C | >5 to ≤10 | >1.2 to ≤2.8 |
D | >10 | >2.8 |
A product qualifies for the better grade only when both nutrient results meet it. Grade A also excludes beverages containing non-sugar substitutes added for sweetness. A drink meeting A nutrient thresholds but containing such substitutes is not Grade A. Use the HPB Nutri-Grade calculator alongside the regulations, not as a replacement for the formulation review.
Prepare the nutrition panel and package mark
A covered prepacked beverage needs a NIP stating energy, protein, carbohydrate, fat, total sugar and saturated fat, subject to the detailed conditions in regulation 184C. Verify values and units against the finished recipe and pack format before approving artwork. Other Singapore food-labelling requirements still apply separately. Food Regulations, regulation 184C and HPB, nutrition labelling.
Grades C and D require the official Nutri-Grade mark on the front of the package. For A and B, displaying the mark is optional. The mark displays the grade and sugar percentage, and its dimensions, positioning and design must follow HPB’s specifications referenced by regulation 184D(5). Check how the grade is displayed in customer-facing listings, not just on the physical can. Food Regulations, regulation 184D and HPB, artwork requirements.
Review advertising before releasing the campaign
Regulation 184F broadly prohibits advertisements promoting Grade D drinks. A limited exception permits certain point-of-sale promotions in variety shops, including qualifying online variety shops, when the stated conditions are met. Wholesale catalogues without consumption recommendations and certain neutral company listings have separate, narrow exceptions. Do not treat a supermarket exception as permission for social-media campaigns. Food Regulations, regulation 184F.
Before launch, the Singapore importer should request the finished-product NIP, calculation inputs, sweetener list, final packaging proof and proposed promotional placements. If the grade changes after reformulation, reassess both the pack and advertising plan before sale. No Nutri-Grade artwork registration or advance laboratory submission is generally required, but the authorities may conduct post-market checks. HPB, compliance guidance.
Discuss Singapore-market beverage options with Nam Viet Group. Share your target drink, pack size and desired nutrient profile to discuss available product specifications and packaging options for local importer review.
Scope note: This is a buyer’s Singapore Nutri-Grade checklist, not a product-specific grade determination or legal clearance.
Frequently asked questions
Does a 100% juice automatically qualify for Grade A?
No. The finished juice must meet the sugar and saturated-fat thresholds, and Grade A also excludes non-sugar substitutes. Natural fruit sugars can affect grading. See the [Sixteenth Schedule](https://sso.agc.gov.sg/SL/SFA1973-RG1?ProvIds=Sc16-).
Can a mixed beverage multipack use one Nutri-Grade mark?
Regulation 184D(4) offers conditional multipack arrangements, including marking each beverage type on the outer pack with a no-separate-sale statement, or a wholly transparent pack showing individual marks. Confirm your exact pack layout. [Food Regulations, regulation 184D](https://sso.agc.gov.sg/SL/SFA1973-RG1?ProvIds=pr184A-%2Cpr184B-%2Cpr184C-%2Cpr184D-%2Cpr184E-%2Cpr184F-).
May a Grade D drink appear in a wholesale price list?
A wholesale catalogue or price list can fall within the regulation 184F(2) exception if it contains no recommendation to consume the drink and meets the other conditions. This does not permit a general consumer advertisement. [Food Regulations, regulation 184F](https://sso.agc.gov.sg/SL/SFA1973-RG1?ProvIds=pr184A-%2Cpr184B-%2Cpr184C-%2Cpr184D-%2Cpr184E-%2Cpr184F-).
Does Nutri-Grade replace Singapore’s ordinary food label rules?
No. The Nutri-Grade panel and mark are additional requirements for covered beverages. The Singapore importer must also review general mandatory label particulars and any applicable claim rules. [HPB, nutrition labelling](https://www.hpb.gov.sg/healthy-living/food-and-beverage/nutrition-labelling-and-claims/).