Healthier Choice Symbol

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Healthier Choice Symbol: The symbol to make informed food choices while shopping

The Healthier Choice Symbol Programme, currently administered by the Health Promotion Board (HPB), was launched in October 1998 with the aim of promoting consumer awareness on making healthier food choices during grocery shopping. Food products carrying Healthier Choice Symbol (HCS) are in general lower in fat, saturated fat, sodium, sugar and higher in dietary fibre, calcium and whole-grains as compared to other products in the same category of food. Nutritional guidelines established for the different food groups are reviewed regularly. Only foods that can meet the nutritional guidelines set by HPB are allowed to carry this symbol. The use of HCS must be accompanied by the Singapore recommended nutrition information panel, which lists the energy value and contents of eight nutrients (protein, fat, saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, carbohydrate, dietary fibre and sodium) expressed as per serving and per 100g of food.

The pyramid or triangle icon of the HCS signifies a "Healthy Diet Pyramid" which is a useful guide to help plan our meals from the four food groups (rice and alternatives, fruit, vegetables, meat and alternatives). Under each food group in the pyramid, you will find products with the HCS. The tag line "Eat All Foods In Moderation" simply advises consumers to eat a variety of foods from each food group in moderation.

To make nutrition labelling more consumer-friendly, HPB just introduced the enhanced versions of the Healthier Choice Symbol, each of which focuses on a particular nutritional aspect of the product. There are a total of six nutrient specific claims above the original logo: Higher in Whole-grains, Higher in Calcium, Lower in Sugar, Lower in Sodium, Lower in Saturated Fats, and Trans Fat Free. Each product will carry one of the six logos. Some products may carry two claims appropriate to the product should it satisfy the nutritional guidelines.

    

The Healthier Snack Symbol logo, which was introduced in 2007, is a variant of the HCS logo. This logo is awarded to snacks which are healthier compared to snacks in similar category. These snacks are also lower in fat, saturated fat, sodium or sugar compared to regular products. In addition, Products which are eligible for the HSS are individually packed in small portions according to serving sizes reflected on the Nutrition Information Panel.

There are currently about 2000+ products carrying the HCS and HSS logo.

Click here to view list of products carrying the Healthier Choice Symbol.

For further enquiries, pleas contact:

Nutrition Department (Level 4)
Health Promotion Board
3 Second Hospital Avenue
Fax: +65 6438 3609
E-mail: nutrition_dept@hpb.gov.sg
Website: www.hpb.gov.sg/foodforhealth