Singapore fines man S$30,000 for illegally importing 2 tonnes of meat

SINGAPORE: A man has been slapped with a hefty fine of S$30,000 by the Court for his involvement in the unlawful importation of approximately two tonnes of meat products from Thailand without a valid import licence.

Ekachai Yasaeng illegally imported the meat products into Singapore for sale, the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) said on 21 February.

On 5 January 2024, vigilant SFA officers intercepted a Malaysian-registered container truck parked at an open-air facility near Joo Seng Road.

Upon inspection, the officers unearthed a stash of meat products, including pork and chicken skewers, originating from Thailand.

Notably, these items were imported without the requisite authorization, a blatant violation of Singaporean import regulations.

SFA promptly seized these illicit goods.

The agency said, “In Singapore, food imports must meet SFA’s requirements. Illegally imported food products of unknown sources can pose a food safety risk.”

The SFA mandates that all imported food products must adhere to their stringent requirements to safeguard public health.

Unauthorized imports not only flout regulatory norms but also pose significant risks to food safety.

Importation of food items is restricted to licensed entities, and each consignment must be duly declared and accompanied by a valid import permit.

Moreover, meat and its derivatives can only be sourced from accredited suppliers in countries endorsed by Singapore for their adherence to food safety norms.

According to the prevailing regulations, individuals found guilty of illegally importing meat and seafood products without proper authorization face severe penalties.

Upon conviction, offenders may be subject to fines up to S$50,000 and/or imprisonment for a period not exceeding two years.

For repeat offenders, the penalties escalate, with fines potentially reaching S$100,000 and imprisonment for up to three years.