Koryo Trading's managing director fined for failing to prevent illegal import and cold store

Koryo Trading Pte Ltd’s managing director was fined on Wednesday (Feb 23) for failing to exercise due diligence to prevent the illegal operation of an unlicensed cold store and illegal import of assorted meat and seafood from Korea.

Yoon Duck Chang was fined $12,000, said the Singapore Food Agency in a news release.

Koryo Trading, an importer of food products, was earlier fined $30,000 in October 2021 for the operation of an unlicensed cold store and illegal import of assorted meat and seafood from Korea.

SFA officers had found approximately 4,656 kg of meat and seafood products such as meat dumplings, frozen beef and processed squid in an unlicensed cold store during an inspection in February 2020.

Further investigations revealed that the company had illegally imported the meat products from Korea.

Investigations also revealed that Koryo Trading had, on a separate occasion, illegally imported approximately 72kg of puffer fish and puffer fish products from Korea.

The illegal consignments were seized.

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 food products are of unknown sources and pose a food safety risk.

"Meat and their products, can only be imported from accredited sources in approved countries that comply with our food safety standards and requirements," SFA said.

Offenders who illegally import meat and seafood products face a maximum fine of $50,000 and/or up to two years' jail.

Illegal storage of meat and seafood at unlicensed facilities pose a food safety risk.

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.

Offenders who store meat and seafood items in unlicensed premises can be fined up to $10,000 and/or jailed up to 12 months.