Honesty Enterprise Pte Ltd was fined $9,000 by the Court today for illegally importing vegetables for sale. Its Director, Chan Jeng Kai, was also fined $9,000 for failing to prevent the offence from being committed.

2.          The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) and the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) have been conducting joint operations targeting vegetable delivery trucks which typically transport imported vegetables that are directly distributed to retailers and customers.

3.          Between June and October 2022, SFA and ICA detected over 230kg of undeclared and under-declared fresh vegetables by Honesty Enterprise Pte Ltd. The agencies also detected 470kg of processed vegetables in the company’s consignments which were not accompanied with a valid import permit. All vegetables, which were illegally imported from Malaysia, were seized.

Consignments of illegally imported vegetables (Photos: SFA)

4.          In Singapore, food imports must meet SFA’s requirements. Fruits and vegetables 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 subjected to pesticide abuse could lead to adverse health effects.

5.          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 fruits and vegetables shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $1,000 and in the case of a subsequent conviction, to a fine not exceeding $2,000.

6.          Safeguarding Singapore’s borders remains 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
8 NOVEMBER 2023