2 tonnes of illegally imported Thai meat products found in container truck at Macpherson carpark

Around two tonnes of illegally imported meat products were found in a container truck at a Macpherson carpark on Jan 5.

Officers from the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) conducted a check on the Malaysian-registered vehicle at an open-air carpark near Joo Seng Road and found the products, which were illegally imported from Thailand without a valid import licence.

The products were seized by SFA.

A man named Ekachai Yasaeng was fined $30,000 for illegally importing the meat products into Singapore for sale.

Offenders who import meat and seafood products illegally without a valid license shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $50,000 and/or imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years.

In the case of a second or subsequent conviction, offenders shall be liable to a fine not exceeding $100,000 and/or imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years.

In Singapore, all 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 requirements.