Company and its director fined $7,500 each for illegally importing over 810kg of meat, seafood products

A food importer was fined $7,500 for illegally importing meat, seafood and processed food for sale, the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) said in a statement.

Siribun's director was also fined $7,500 for failing to prevent the offence from being committed.

On Oct 14, SFA and the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) conducted a targeted operation on a Malaysia-registered container which entered Singapore through Tuas Checkpoint.

SFA raided the container when it was being unloaded in Tampines and found that Siribun had illegally imported over 810kg of meat and seafood products, along with approximately 4kg of processed food.

The illegal food items were falsely declared as imported fresh vegetables and other food products in the cargo permits.

All illegal consignments were seized.

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

"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."

Offenders who import meat and seafood products illegally without a valid import permit will face a fine of up to $10,000 and/or up to 12 months' jail.

Repeat offenders will face a fine of up to $20,000 and/or up to two years' jail.