Sunrise Vegetable Pte Ltd, an importer of food products, was fined $1,200 by the Court today for illegally importing processed vegetables for sale. Sim Chai Kang (who is a partner of Bao Kang Enterprise and holds a licence to import vegetables), was fined $7,300 for illegally importing fresh vegetables for sale. 

2.          On 26 April 2022, a truck carrying food produce consigned to Sunrise Vegetable Pte Ltd and Bao Kang Enterprise was stopped and referred for checks during a joint operation conducted by the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) and the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) at Woodlands Checkpoint. The truck was then referred to SFA for follow-up inspection. 

3.          SFA’s investigation found that Sunrise Vegetable Pte Ltd illegally imported approximately 193kg of processed vegetables and Bao Kang Enterprise illegally imported approximately 407kg of fresh vegetables. These consignments from Malaysia were seized.  

Illegal imports seized from Sunrise Vegetable Pte Ltd (Photo: SFA)


Illegal imports seized from Bao Kang Enterprise (Photo: 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 that have been 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 so as 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.

SINGAPORE FOOD AGENCY
IMMIGRATION & CHECKPOINTS AUTHORITY
23 FEBRUARY 2023