1.
Introduction
1.1.
Background information
Food
sustainability is more than just the food itself, it takes into account several
factors that describe the term, food sustainability. Food sustainability looks
into the production, distribution, packaging and consumption of food. For
instance, having sustainable farming practices, a low environmental impact, and
protecting public health are all essential factors that determine food
sustainability. These factors ensure that the amount of farm produce is either
consistent or increasing. These also ensure that natural resources are neither
wasted nor damaged, and that is it healthy and safe for consumption, which
means that there are no hazardous pesticides and chemicals, non-essential
antibiotics or growth promotion supplements (Kylie Ackers, 2019).
Food
sustainability greatly impacts Singapore, as 90% of Singapore’s food supply is
imported from other countries. Today, Singapore imports food from 170
countries, which is an increase from 160 countries in 2007. For instance, 35%
of chicken, 17% of fish, 93% of duck and 76% of eggs in Singapore come from
Malaysia. Brazil also supplies 47% of Singapore’s imported chicken, 30% of
imported pork, and 53% of imported beef (Today Online, 2019).
While
Singapore’s food security remains secure at the present moment, there is a need
to implement new strategies. The global market continues to change and
Singapore’s relationship with other countries might become weak, which could
challenge our food supply. Incidents in the past have also shown that the food
that Singapore imports may not always be the safest for consumption. For
example, in 2014, the cost of egg increased when Malaysian farms were
prohibited from supplying eggs to Singapore as their eggs were found to contain
a bacterium called Salmonella Enteritidis, which results in food poisoning.
Recently, rotten-meat was found in Brazil in March, when its police discovered
that health inspectors had been bribed by major meatpackers to keep rotten meat
on the market. These two incidents are crucial to take note of as a significant
portion of eggs in Singapore are imported from Malaysia prior to the incident,
while Brazil supplies Singapore with a significant amount of chicken, pork and
beef (Today Online, 2019).
In
order for Singapore to ensure its food security in the future, in the midst of
a global changing market, new food technologies and methods like cultured meat
must be utilized, and Singapore should also begin introducing cultured meat in
universities to raise awareness of such meats.
1.2.
Problem Statement
Singapore
is to reach the target of producing 30% of food locally by 2030, a figure set
by the Singapore Food Agency (SFA). However, Singapore imports up to 90% of
food globally. This shows that Singapore has a high dependency on global food
imports. Much effort is required to reduce the statistic by introducing
alternative food options and raising awareness on these food options that are
available or to be introduced. The goal is for SFA to set its focus on a
specific target audience, using Singapore Institute of Technology as a trial,
to raise awareness on alternative food options such as cultured meat to the
students and staff from the institute. A collaboration between SFA and
SIT@Dover (Food Technology) to the campus.
1.3.
Purpose Statement
This
report aims to convince Mr Lim Chuan Poh, chairman of Singapore Food Agency, to
come into a collaboration with SIT@Dover, in implementing the research and sale
of cultured meat. We aim to increase food sustainability awareness within the
campus and nurture the younger generation of Singapore into the acceptance of
future food.
References:
Ackers, K., Gruchy, H. de, Thomas, H., Worsley, S., & Nolet, S. (2019, September 12). What Does Food Sustainability Really Mean? Retrieved October 28, 2019, from https://www.ecoandbeyond.co/articles/food-sustainability/
Aqil Haziq (2019, October 28). Singapore aims to produce 30% of its nutritional needs by 2030, up from less than 10%. CNA. Retrieved from https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/singapore-produce-30-own-food-up-from-10-nutritional-needs-11320426
Begum, S. (2019, October 18). Future food: Growing meat in lab to help meet supply needs. The Straits Times. Retrieved from https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/future-food-growing-meat-in-lab-to-help-meet-supply-needs
Begum, S. (2019, October 22). Food of the future: Beefing up efforts to grow meat in labs. The Straits Times. Retrieved from https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/beefing-up-efforts-to-grow-meat-in-labs
Choy, K. (2017, May 26). The Big Read: Far from people's minds, but food security a looming issue. Retrieved October 28, 2019, from https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/big-read-far-peoples-minds-food-security-looming-issue
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