SINGAPORE — Two women and a company were fined for food safety lapses on Wednesday (Jan 24) in separate cases. One involved illegally imported meat and seafood products stored in unlicensed facilities, while the other did not take action against a cockroach infestation on its premises.

A fine of S$27,000 each was given to Bui Thi Quyen and Ta Thi Tuyen for the illegal importation of meat and seafood products from Vietnam and for illegally operating unlicensed cold stores at a premises on Senoko Road in the Sembawang area. 

Officers from the Singapore Food Agency (SFA)\ did an inspection at 62 Senoko Road on April 13 last year and found more than 700kg of meat and seafood products stored in an unlicensed cold store, SFA said in a media release on Wednesday (Jan 24). 

The products, seized by the agency, included illegally imported processed and raw food products of various meats such as pork, beef, chicken, fish and frog obtained from unapproved sources without a valid licence. 

In the other case, Suvai Foods, a manufacturer of flour confectionery located in Aljunied, was fined S$10,000 for multiple food safety offences, including a “severe cockroach infestation”, SFA said.

An inspection at Suvai Foods on Feb 21 last year revealed poor maintenance of the premises, which was infested with cockroaches. There was also an unapproved extension of the packing area found on the premises. 

Live cockroaches were also found at the back of the manufacturer’s food delivery truck, which was poorly maintained.

SFA suspended the food business operations of Suvai Foods from Feb 21 to March 8 last year, and directed the licensee to address the food safety lapses and “take necessary measures” to ensure the cleanliness of its premises and improve its food safety practices. 

The suspension was lifted on March 9 after Suvai Foods rectified the lapses and made the necessary improvements. 

“Food safety is a joint responsibility as food can be contaminated anywhere along the food chain.

"While SFA continues to be vigilant and works to ensure regulatory measures are in place and properly enforced, the industry and consumers must also play their part,” the agency said. 

It advised members of the public to not patronise establishments with poor food safety practices and to provide feedback for follow-up investigations. 

The agency said that it would take enforcement action against food operators that failed to adhere to food safety regulations. 

Anyone who violates food safety regulations can be fined up to S$5,000 and can be liable to a further fine of up to S$100 for every day or part thereof in the case of a continuing offence after a conviction. 

Those who illegally store meat or seafood products can be jailed for up to 12 months and or be fined up to S$10,000. 

Anyone convicted of illegally importing meat or seafood products without a valid licence can be jailed for up to two years or be fined up to S$50,000, or both, for a first offence. In the case of a subsequent conviction, offenders can be jailed for up to three years or fined up to S$100,000, or both.

To give feedback to SFA, submit it through its online form.