Importer fined $22,500 over unlicensed cold store: 1,100kg of meat and seafood seized

The Fish Net Pte Ltd, a licensed food importer, was fined $22,500 on Wednesday (Apr 6) a cold store without a licence.

In April 2021, officers from the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) inspected The Fish Net Pte Ltd and found approximately 1,100kg of frozen meat and seafood products.

The importer did not have a licence to operate a cold store at its premises.

The products were seized by SFA.

"Illegal storage of meat and seafood at unlicensed facilities pose a food safety risk," SFA said.

Under the Sale of Food Act and the Wholesome Meat and Fish Act, cold stores for meat and seafood products can only be operated with a valid licence. These licensed premises are also routinely inspected by SFA.

If found to be possessing any meat or seafood products which has been kept in unlicensed cold stores for the purpose of selling or supplying, offenders may face a fine of up to $50,000 and/or up to two years in jail. In the case of a second or subsequent conviction, they may face a fine of up to $100,000 and/or up to three years in jail.

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