COC Vegetables Importer fined $4,000 for illegal import of fresh vegetables

An import company has been fined $4,000 for illegally importing fresh vegetables for sale.

The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) said in a statement that its officers detected 370kg of undeclared fresh vegetables in the consignments imported from Malaysia by Seah Kim Chwee, licensee of COC Vegetables Importer.

The illegal consignments were seized.

"In Singapore, food imports must meet SFA's requirements," SFA said.

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

"Illegally imported vegetables are of unknown sources and can pose a food safety risk (e.g. if unregulated or high level of pesticides are used).

"The long-term ingestion of excessive pesticide residues through the consumption of vegetables that have been subjected to pesticide abuse could lead to adverse health effects."

Offenders who illegally import fresh fruits and vegetables face a fine of up to $10,000 and/or up to three years' jail.