Company fined $3,600 for illegally importing vegetables and processed food from Malaysia

A company was fined $3,600 on Wednesday (July 15) for illegally importing fresh vegetables and processed food from Malaysia.

In November 2019, officers from the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) detected around 151kg of undeclared and under-declared fresh vegetables, as well as about 10kg of under-declared processed food.

The illegal consignments, imported from Malaysia by LHH Vegetable Pte Ltd, were all seized.

SFA said in a news release: "Illegally imported food products are of unknown sources and pose a food safety risk.

"In Singapore, food imports must meet SFA’s requirements and food safety standards. Food can only be imported by licensed importers, and every consignment must be declared and accompanied with a valid import permit."

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

Those who illegally import processed food face a fine of up to $1,000 and in the case of a subsequent conviction, a fine not exceeding $2,000.