SINGAPORE – The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) seized about 1.5 tonnes of fresh produce and processed food imported illegally from Malaysia during a joint operation with the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA).
In a joint statement on March 29, SFA and ICA said they conducted the operation on March 25 and March 26, targeting vegetable delivery lorries entering Singapore via the Woodlands Checkpoint.
These lorries typically transport produce distributed directly to retailers and customers, said the agencies.
During the operation, ICA officers referred two lorries to SFA for further checks because they found discrepancies in the transported goods, the statement said.
SFA found about 1.5 tonnes of undeclared and under-declared produce such as chilli padi, spring onion, brinjal, and peeled garlic brought in by three importers in the two lorries. All the illegally imported produce was seized.
In Singapore, fruits and vegetables can be imported only by licensed importers, and every consignment must be declared and accompanied by a valid import permit, the agencies said in their statement.
They added that illegally imported vegetables are of unknown sources and can pose a food safety risk if, for example, high levels of pesticides are used. SFA and ICA said: “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.”
Offenders who illegally import fresh fruits and vegetables can be fined up to $10,000, jailed for up to three years, or both.
Those convicted of illegally importing processed fruits and vegetables can be fined up to $1,000, and in the case of a subsequent conviction, fined up to $2,000.
