THE world is Singapore's source when it comes to food and, as long as that means it is safe and prices remain affordable, it's alright.

That appears to be the general attitude of Singaporeans towards the food on their table.

They don't really mind where it comes from, be it seafood from Namibia, pork from Belgium, or vegetables from India.

These items from non-traditional sources have made their way in supermarkets here.

More food from such non-traditional source countries look set to be imported here soon.

With rising food prices, the government has been casting its food net wider as part of a diversification strategy to keep prices in check, the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) said.

Nine of the 10 people aged between 23 and 60 my paper spoke to said the origin of food did not matter as much as its price, safety and quality.

Bank associate Janet Khong, 29, said: "If it tastes the same, as long as the quality is there, and the price is reasonable, why not?"

Agreeing, production engineer Vincent Ng, 28, said: "Safety is my top priority for food, because health comes first.

"I will definitely want something of quality, nothing tainted or with disease."

Some, like customer service manager Franza Lee, 26, were surprised that Singapore had approved imports from non-traditional sources such as Namibia, Chile and South Africa.

However, for technical engineer Wee Kia Siang, 23, even though it was news he had already accepted the idea of sourcing food from faraway lands.

He said: "I know that we cannot rely on one source (for our food), in case of infections."

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