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Sawadee Pte Ltd and Director fined $15,000 each for operating an unlicensed cold store and illegal import of meat products
28 Aug 2024
- Sawadee Pte Ltd was fined $15,000 by the Court today for operating an unlicensed cold store, and illegally importing meat products from Thailand. Its Director, Sim Yong Fong Alvin, was also fined $15,000 for failing to prevent the offences from being committed.
- On 4 April 2023, officers from the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) conducted an inspection on a distributor, Sawadee Pte Ltd at Hillview Avenue and found an unlicensed cold store storing assorted meat and seafood products, such as meat balls, pork and chicken skewers, fish, and prawn, for sale. In total, more than 1100 kg of meat and seafood products were seized. Further investigations revealed that the company had also illegally imported the meat products from Thailand.
About 1100 kg of assorted meat and seafood products were seized (Photos: SFA)
- Illegal storage of meat and seafood at unlicensed facilities pose a food safety risk. Under the Sale of Food Act and the Wholesome Meat and Fish Act, cold stores for meat and seafood products can only be operated with a valid licence. SFA routinely inspects these licensed premises to ensure compliance to hygiene standards and correct temperature settings, among other regulatory requirements.
- Offenders found to be possessing any meat or seafood products which has been kept in unlicensed cold stores for the purpose of selling shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $50,000 and/or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years, and in the case of a second or subsequent conviction, to a fine not exceeding $100,000 and/or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 years.
- In Singapore, food imports must meet SFA’s requirements. Illegally imported food products of unknown sources can pose a food safety risk. Food can only be imported by licensed importers, and every consignment must be declared and accompanied with a valid import permit. In addition, meat and its products can only be imported from accredited sources in approved countries that comply with our food safety standards and requirements.
- Offenders found to be importing meat products illegally from unapproved sources without a permit shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000 and/or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months and, in the case of a second or subsequent conviction, to a fine not exceeding $20,000 and/or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years.
Issued by the Singapore Food Agency
28 August 2024
