Singapore sugar consumption falls, but calorie and sodium intake rise
Singapore's latest health surveys indicate that while residents are consuming less sugar, their intake of calories and sodium has increased due to frequent dining out. The government attributes the reduction in sugar to mandatory labeling and industry reformulation, though sodium levels remain a significant public health concern.
Why it matters
The findings highlight the challenges of managing public health and dietary habits in a modern urban environment where convenience often outweighs nutritional goals.
SINGAPORE; More people in Singapore are consuming less sugar, engaging in physical activity and getting screened for chronic diseases and cancers.
However, as more residents eat out frequently, the country’s consumption of calories and sodium has increased, with almost all Singapore citizens and permanent residents exceeding the daily recommended sodium intake limit.
This is according to findings from the Ministry of Health’s (MOH) National Population Health Survey and the Health Promotion Board’s (HPB) National Nutrition Survey.
They were announced by Minister for Health Ong Ye Kung on Oct 3 at the National Heart Week and World Heart Day event at Heartbeat@Bedok, organised by the Singapore Heart Foundation.
The National Nutrition Survey, which polled 3,000 Singapore residents between the ages of 18 and 69, found that daily total sugar intake had fallen from 60g in 2018 to 48g in 2025.
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