Man fined S$10,000 for selling pig’s blood and ‘balut’

SINGAPORE – A 41-year-old man, was fined S$10,000 on Wednesday (Sept 6) for selling illegal food products, the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) said in a statement.

Ang Kok Leong had been selling pig’s blood and uncooked embryonated/fertilised duck eggs, commonly known as “balut”.

Acting on a tip-off, the AVA conducted an inspection of Ang’s flat on April 26, where officers found 15.6kg of pig blood products and 857 pieces of “balut”. The illegal food products were seized and subsequently destroyed.

Meat, eggs, and their products, can only be imported into Singapore from accredited sources in approved countries that comply with our food safety standards and requirements, the AVA said. Currently, there are no approved sources of “balut” eggs.

Furthermore, the statement added, animal blood food products are prohibited in Singapore because blood can easily support the growth of bacteria and harbour diseases. Unhygienic harvesting of blood can also result in the introduction of food borne pathogens into blood food products.

The AVA added that any person who illegally imports meat products from unapproved sources is liable to a maximum fine of S$50,000 and/or 2 years jail term or to both for first conviction, and in the case of a second or subsequent conviction, to a fine not exceeding S$100,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 years or to both.