Man fined for sale of pig's blood and uncooked fertilised duck eggs

The Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority conducted an inspection at the flat of Ang Kok Leong on April 26, 2017, and found 15.6 kilograms of pig blood products and 857 pieces of balut. PHOTO: AVA

SINGAPORE - A 41-year-old man was fined $10,000 in court on Wednesday (Sept 6) for selling illegal food products comprising pig's blood and uncooked fertilised duck eggs, commonly known as balut.

Acting on a tip-off, the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority (AVA) conducted an inspection at the flat of Ang Kok Leong on April 26, 2017, and found 15.6 kilograms of pig blood products and 857 pieces of balut. The products were seized and destroyed.

AVA said that the import of food is regulated for animal health and food safety reasons. Meat and eggs and their products can be imported only from accredited sources in approved countries that comply with Singapore's food safety standards. There are no approved sources of balut.

AVA also explained that animal-blood food products are prohibited here as blood may be unhygienically harvested and can breed disease-causing pathogens.

Any person who illegally imports meat products is liable to a maximum fine of $50,000 or two years' jail term or both on the first conviction and, in the case of a second or subsequent conviction, a fine not exceeding $100,000 or imprisonment not exceeding three years or both.

Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.