The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) has seized around 1.4 tonnes of illegally imported food products from Thailand.

2.          On 7 February 2024, officers from the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) at Tuas Checkpoint conducted a routine check on delivery trucks that transport food products. During the checks, ICA officers noticed discrepancies in the consignment transported by a Malaysia-registered delivery truck and referred it to SFA for further checks.

3.          SFA subsequently found approximately 1.4 tonnes of undeclared food products, including meat and meat products, fruits and vegetables, seafood and processed food. All the illegally imported food products were seized.

4.           SFA is following up with further investigations and will not hesitate to take enforcement action.

 

All illegal imports were seized (Photo: SFA)

5.          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. In addition, meat and its products can only be imported from accredited sources in approved countries that comply with our food safety standards and requirements. Illegally imported food products are of unknown sources and can pose a food safety risk (e.g. unregulated or high level of pesticides could be used and the long-term ingestion of excessive pesticide residues in vegetables could lead to adverse health effects.).

6.          Offenders who illegally import meat and seafood products shall be liable on conviction to a maximum fine of not exceeding $10,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to both and, in the case of a second or subsequent conviction, to a fine not exceeding $20,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years or to both. Offenders who illegally import fresh fruits and vegetables shall be liable on conviction to a maximum fine of $10,000 and/or imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years. Offenders who illegally import processed food shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $1,000 and in the case of subsequent conviction, to a fine not exceeding $2,000.

7.          Safeguarding Singapore’s borders remains a top priority for ICA. ICA will continue to conduct security checks to detect and deter illegal importation attempts to keep Singapore safe. SFA will continue to safeguard food safety through our integrated food safety system, which includes strict import regulations and enforcement, and work closely with border control agencies to deter illegal import across our borders.

IMMIGRATION & CHECKPOINTS AUTHORITY
SINGAPORE FOOD AGENCY
01 MARCH 2024