Mr Lim Kok Thai was appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of the Singapore Food Agency on 1 April 2019, a new statutory board established under the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources to oversee food safety and food security. SFA brings together food-related functions previously carried out by the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA), the National Environment Agency (NEA) and the Health Sciences Authority (HSA).

Prior to assuming the post of CEO, SFA, Mr Lim was the CEO of AVA from 1 October 2017. The AVA was the national authority entrusted with the mission to ensure a resilient supply of safe food, safeguard the health of animals, fish and plants, as well as facilitate agri-trade for Singapore.

Mr Lim joined AVA from the Singapore Police Force (SPF), where he held various key appointments including Deputy Commissioner of Police (Policy), Director Operations and Commander of Bedok Police Division.