Thai minimart partner fined $10,500 for selling illegally imported meat products

Thida Jaroonsri, a registered partner of Heng Dee Thai Minimart, was fined $10,500 for possessing and selling illegally imported meats and meat products and operating a food establishment without a licence.

The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) said in a statement that its officers inspected Heng Dee Thai Mini Mart on July 12, 2023.

They found about 186kg of assorted meat and fish products that were on sale or stored for sale in the minimart despite it not having a valid food establishment licence.

Of these, about 160kg of the meat products were illegally imported from unaccredited sources. 

All the meat and fish products were seized by SFA.

PHOTO: SFA

In Singapore, meat and its products can only be imported from accredited sources in approved countries that comply with SFA's food safety standards and requirements.

"Illegally imported food products from unknown and unapproved sources can pose a food safety risk," the agency said.

Those found in possession for the purpose of selling meat and meat products that are illegally imported can be fined up to $50,000, or get up to two years' jail, or both.

Repeat offenders can be fined up to $100,000, or get up to 3 years' jail, or both.

All food establishments in Singapore must be licenced to operate.

SFA said it will not hesitate to take enforcement action against food establishments that are found operating without a valid SFA licence at the point of inspection.

Those who operate without a licence are liable on conviction to a fine of up to $10,000.

Repeat offenders can be fined up to $2,000, or jailed up to three months, or both.