Two businesses and Director fined for food safety lapses

1. Ananda Kwang Krai Trading Pte Ltd was fined $4,000 by the Court today for illegally operating an unlicensed cold store to store assorted meat and seafood products for the purpose of sale. Laos and Thai Supermarket Ptd Ltd was also fined $11,000 for operating a food establishment without a licence, selling meat products from unapproved sources, and not labelling food in the prescribed manner. The Director of both businesses, Thammavong Nout Anan, was fined $16,000 for failing to prevent the offences from being committed.


2. On 11 May 2023, officers from the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) conducted an inspection at Ananda Kwang Krai Trading Pte Ltd at Mandai Link and found an unlicensed cold store storing assorted meat and seafood products, such as sliced fish, crabs, and meat balls, for the purpose of sale. Approximately 187 kg of assorted meat and seafood products were seized.


3. On 12 May 2023, officers from SFA conducted an inspection at Laos and Thai Supermarket Pte Ltd at Jalan Sultan. SFA officers found assorted raw meat products displayed for sale at the premises, which is not licensed to operate as a food establishment.


4. In addition, officers found about 40 kg of raw and ready-to-eat meat products which were not labelled with mandatory information such as the country of origin on their packaging. SFA officers also found about 76 kg of prepacked meat products from unapproved sources from Thailand. All products were seized.

SFA officers seized about 40 kg of raw and ready-to-eat meat products which were not labelled with mandatory information origin on their packaging and about 76 kg of prepacked meat products from unapproved sources
(Photos: SFA)

5. Illegal storage of meat and seafood at unlicensed facilities poses a food safety risk. Under the Sale of Food Act and the Wholesome Meat and Fish Act, cold stores for meat and seafood products can only be operated with a valid licence. SFA routinely inspects these licensed premises to ensure compliance to hygiene standards and correct temperature settings, among other regulatory requirements. Offenders found possessing any meat or seafood products which have been kept in unlicensed cold stores for the purpose of selling or supplying shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $50,000 and/or imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years, and in the case of a second or subsequent conviction, to a fine not exceeding $100,000 and/or imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years


6. Illegally imported food products of unknown sources can pose a food safety risk. Food can only be imported by licensed importers, and every consignment must be declared and accompanied with a valid import permit. In addition, meat and its products can only be imported from accredited sources in approved countries that comply with our food safety requirements. Offenders who import meat products illegally from unapproved sources or found in the possession of meat products for the purpose of selling, which were imported without a valid permit or licence, shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $50,000 and/or imprisonment of up to two years. In the case of subsequent conviction, offenders shall be liable to a fine not exceeding $100,000 and/or imprisonment of up to three years.


7. Under the Wholesome Meat and Fish Act, every pack of meat, fish and seafood product must be labelled in the prescribed manner and must not be labelled with any information that is false, inaccurate, or misleading. Offenders are liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $50,000 or to imprisonment not exceeding two years or to both, and in the case of a second or subsequent conviction, to a fine not exceeding $100,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years or to both. 8 Under the Environmental Public Health Act in Singapore, no person shall operate a food establishment without a valid licence. Offenders shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000 and, in the case where the person is a repeat offender, the person shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $20,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months or to both.