Key takeaways

• It is recommended that food importers pay close attention to the import, inspection and licensing requirements imposed by the SFA.
• As part of the SFA's food safety efforts, heavy penalties are imposed on offenders who fail to meet import, inspection and certification requirements. These media releases show the SFA’s surveillance and enforcement of such cases.
• The SFA’s strict stance applies to directors of companies for failing to exercise due diligence to prevent the offense from being committed.

In depth

In October 2020 and July 2022, the licensed food importer imported consignments of assorted chilled lamb products and seafood products. On both occasions, the licensed food importer failed to arrange for the SFA to inspect, examine and certify the consignments before selling the products.

Offenders who fail to arrange for meat and fish products to be inspected, examined and certified by an authorized examiner before the products are sold or distributed may be imprisoned for up to 12 months and/or fined up to SGD 10,000.

Offenders who sell meat consignments that have not been inspected may be imprisoned for up to two years and/or fined up to SGD 50,000 for the first offense, and may be imprisoned for up to three years and/or fined up to SGD 100,000 in the second or subsequent conviction.

In a separate media release, it was reported that during a joint operation conducted by the SFA and the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority, authorities stopped a truck carrying food produce for a wholesaler. Upon the SFA’s further investigations, the wholesaler was found to have illegally imported approximately 324kg of fresh fruits, vegetables and processed food from Malaysia that were either not declared or under-declared.

Offenders who illegally import fresh fruits and vegetables may be imprisoned for up to three years and/or fined up to SGD 10,000 upon conviction. Offenders who illegally import processed fruits and vegetables may be fined up to SGD 1,000 and may be fined up to SGD 2,000 in the second or subsequent conviction.

The SFA media releases may be accessed here and here.

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