Singapore: The Singapore Food Authority (SFA) and Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) stated on Wednesday (November 17) that a company was fined S$8,000 for illegally importing food from Malaysia.
On March 23, in a joint operation by Woodlands Command, ICA officials detained a truck carrying food, which was entrusted to Sunny Wholesale.
The authorities discovered that Ng Kai Hong, the licensee of Sunnyland Wholesale, had illegally imported approximately 1,756 kilograms of undeclared and underdeclared fresh fruits and vegetables.
The cargo also included 40 kg of undeclared processed vegetables. According to the news released by the United Media, all illegal goods have been confiscated.
The authorities added that Singapore’s food imports must meet SFA requirements.
Fruits and vegetables can only be imported by licensed importers, and each batch of goods must be declared and accompanied by a valid import license.
“The source of illegally imported vegetables is unknown and may pose a food safety risk,” they said.
“By eating vegetables that abuse pesticides, long-term intake of excessive pesticide residues may have adverse effects on health.”
Those who illegally import fresh fruits and vegetables can be fined up to S$10,000 or imprisoned for up to three years, or both. The offence of illegally importing processed food can be fined up to S$1,000.
