The Food Safety Laboratory, recognised as a World Health Organisation (WHO) Collaborating Centre for Food Contamination Monitoring, carries out analytical services including testing for additives, contaminants and food composition for its clients in both the public and private sectors.

It is the reference laboratory to the Food Control Division of the Agri-food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore to ensure the safety of food in Singapore. As an integral part of the government's food control programme, the laboratory provides prompt and efficient service for the enforcement of the Food Act and Regulations.

In addition, the Food Safety Laboratory provides certification of food for export and quality control for local manufacturers. It also provides analytical service to help clients from ASEAN countries such as Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, etc, to meet stringent export requirements.

It also conducts investigations, surveys and research activities pertaining to food quality and safety. The surveys provide important and useful information on the background levels of contaminants and guide in the interpretation of results.

The Food Safety Laboratory generally carries out analysis on food additives, contaminants, food contact materials and checking for irradiated foods.

In addition to its analytical services, the Food Safety Laboratory establishes a food database on the analytical results of food samples carried out over the years for WHO. This provides useful information for WHO to make a global comparison with other countries in order to identify trends to reinforce food safety for consumers.