Yip Hon Weng on Good Samaritan Food Donation Bill

The Good Samaritan Food Donation Bill is an important step towards reducing food waste, increasing food availability for food-insecure communities and developing a more sustainable and compassionate society in Singapore, said MP Yip Hon Weng. However, he said to truly shift behaviour on a larger scale, Singapore should go beyond removing legal barriers to offer tangible incentives such as tax benefits, logistical support and public recognition to motivate more businesses to donate food. This will transform the Bill from being “a shield against liability into a sword actively combating food waste”, he said. Mr Yip also emphasised the importance of clear labelling of ingredients, especially potentially sensitive ones like beef or pork products, as well as allergens. He also suggested incorporating targeted guidelines or even mandatory training for large and frequent food donors, as well as explicitly extending legal protection to community fridges and food rescue initiatives. He spoke in Parliament on Tuesday (Aug 6).