Fresh Choice Avenue Pte Ltd Fined S$10,000 for Illegal Import of Fresh and Processed Vegetables (SFA)

Fresh Choice Avenue Pte Ltd, an importer of food products, was fined S$10,000 by the Court today (1 December 2021) for illegally importing fresh fruits and vegetables and processed food for sale.


Importer Fresh Choice Avenue Pte Ltd was fined $10,000 by the Court today for illegally importing fresh fruits and…

Posted by Singapore Food Agency (SFA) on Wednesday, December 1, 2021

2 On 2 September 2020, officers from Singapore Food Agency (SFA) detected 349.6kg of undeclared and under-declared fresh fruits and vegetables and 304.5kg of undeclared processed vegetables in the consignments imported from Malaysia by Fresh Choice Avenue Pte Ltd.

The illegal consignments were seized.

SFA

3 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.

4 Offenders who illegally import fresh fruits and vegetables shall be liable on conviction to a maximum fine of S$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 S$1,000 and in the case of a subsequent conviction, to a fine not exceeding S$2,000.

Issued by the Singapore Food Agency (SFA)
1 December 2021

Read The Official Media Release HERE.