Long Yue Teng Trading Pte Ltd was fined S$29,000 by the Court today for two offences under the Wholesome Meat and Fish Act, namely, the possession of illegally imported meat products intended for sale and the unauthorised disposal of detained items. Its directors, Wang Limin and Koon Kay Kheng, were fined S$25,000 and S$4,000 respectively for failing to prevent the offences from being committed.
Possession of illegally imported meat products from China for the purpose of sale
2 In April 2023, officers from the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) conducted an inspection at a cold store facility leased to Long Yue Teng and discovered more than 5100kg of assorted meat products that were stored for the purpose of sale. These products had been illegally imported from unapproved sources in China without a valid import permit. All implicated products were seized by SFA.
3 In Singapore, food imports must meet SFA’s requirements. Illegally imported food products of unknown sources can pose a food safety risk. 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 meat products can only be imported from accredited sources in approved countries that comply with our food safety standards and requirements.
4 Offenders who import meat products illegally from unapproved sources or found in possession of meat products for the purpose of selling, which were imported without a valid permit or licence shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding S$50,000 and/or imprisonment of up to two years. In the case of a subsequent conviction, offenders shall be liable to a fine not exceeding $100,000 and/or imprisonment of up to three years.
Unauthorised disposal of consignment
5 In Oct 2023, SFA officers conducted an inspection and sampling on a consignment of hairy crabs imported by Long Yue Teng. SFA had detained the consignment pending laboratory test results and instructed the importer not to tamper with nor release the consignment. However, Long Yue Teng had proceeded to dispose part of the consignment before the release of the laboratory test result, without SFA’s approval and authorisation.
6 Offenders who, without the authority of an authorised officer, tamper with any item seized or detained by SFA are liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000 and/or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months.
7 Members of the public who come across such illegal activities are encouraged to provide feedback via our online feedback form (www.sfa.gov.sg/feedback) or to call our SFA Contact Centre at 6805 2871 with details for our follow-up investigations.
Issued by the Singapore Food Agency
18 July 2024
