Importer fined $4,500 for illegally importing 63kg of fresh vegetables

An importer was fined $4,500 on Wednesday (June 2) for illegally importing fresh vegetables for sale.

The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) said its officers had detected 63kg of undeclared fresh vegetables in the consignments imported from Malaysia by Liew Yeo Chiap, licensee of Yeo Chiap Market Produce Supplier, in October 2020.

All the illegal consignments were seized.

SFA said in a statement: "In Singapore, food imports must meet SFA’s requirements. Food 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 may face a maximum fine of $10,000 and/or a jail term of up to three years.