1.4 tonnes of illegally imported food products from Thailand seized by SFA

Around 1.4 tonnes of illegally imported food products from Thailand were seized by the Singapore Food Agency (SFA).

On Feb 7, officers from the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) at Tuas Checkpoint conducted a routine check on delivery trucks transporting food products, the agencies said in a joint statement.

During the checks, ICA officers noticed discrepancies in the consignment transported by a Malaysia-registered delivery truck and referred it to SFA for further checks.

SFA subsequently found approximately 1.4 tonnes of undeclared food products, including meat and meat products, fruits and vegetables, seafood and processed food.

SFA is following up with further investigations and said it will not hesitate to take enforcement action.

"In Singapore, food imports must meet SFA’s requirements," the statement said.

"Food can only be imported by licensed importers, and every consignment must be declared and accompanied with a valid import permit."

It added that meat and its products can only be imported from accredited sources in approved countries that comply with SFA's food safety standards and requirements.

Illegally imported food products are from unknown sources and can pose a food safety risk. For example, unregulated or high levels of pesticides could be used and the long-term ingestion of excessive pesticide residues in vegetables could lead to adverse health effects.

Those found guilty of illegally importing meat and seafood products could be fined up to $10,000, jailed up to 12 months, or both.

Those found guilty of illegally importing fresh fruit and vegetables could be fined up to the same maximum amount and jailed up to three years, or both.

First-time offenders convicted of illegally importing processed food face a fine of up to $1,000, and up to $2,000 on subsequent convictions.