Singapore lifts ban on sale of food products containing alcohol

Singapore has lifted a ban on the sale of food products containing alcohol, allowing shops to sell alcoholic products such as rum-flavoured ice cream.

As reported by Straits Times, the news was announced by the Ministry of Home Affairs last Thursday after the ministry reviewed the country’s Liquor Control (Supply and Consumption) Act.

Under the Act, the sale hours of alcoholic beverages as well as food containing more than 0.5% alcohol at retail outlets and consumption in public places was restricted. between 10.30pm and 7am. Not only was it forbidden to sell alcohol and alcohol-flavoured foodstuffs at these times, their consumption in public places was banned as well.

One of the most hard-hit food brands was Udders ice cream, whose four flavour selections – Rum Rum raisin (3.9% alcohol), Tira-miss-u (3.8% alcohol), Wineberries (3.5% alcohol) and Orange Liqueur Dark Choc (2.7% alcohol).

The restrictions on alcoholic beverages however still remain in place. The Act was blamed for slowing business for bars, pubs and clubs. Last year, the country’s iconic claret bar, Shanghai Dolly, closed down due to shorter licensing hours, as dbHK reported at the time.