Pisces Supplier Pte Ltd (an importer of fresh fruits, vegetables, and processed food products) was fined $6,000 by the Court today for illegally importing fresh and processed produce for sale. Its director, Lee Siang Lin Karen, was also fined $5,500 for failing to prevent the offence from being committed.

2.          On 17 November 2021, a truck carrying food produce consigned to Pisces Supplier Pte Ltd was detained during a joint operation conducted by the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) and the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) at Woodlands Checkpoint. The truck was then referred to SFA for follow-up investigation.

3.          SFA’s investigation found that the company illegally imported about 395kg of undeclared and under-declared fresh fruits and vegetables such as Chinese cabbage, chilli padi, lime, and cucumber. The company also illegally imported 78kg of undeclared processed vegetables such as cut brinjal and cut cabbage. All the illegal consignments were seized.

Almost 500kg of fresh and processed produce were seized (Photo: SFA)

4.          In Singapore, food imports must meet SFA’s requirements. Fruits and vegetables can only be imported by licensed importers, and every consignment must be declared and accompanied with a valid import permit. Illegally imported vegetables are of unknown sources and can pose a food safety risk (e.g. if unregulated or high level of pesticides are used). 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.

5.          Offenders who illegally import fresh fruits and vegetables shall be liable on conviction to a maximum fine of $10,000 and/or imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years. Offenders who illegally import processed fruits and vegetables shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $1,000 and in the case of a subsequent conviction, to a fine not exceeding $2,000.

6.          Safeguarding Singapore’s borders remains top priority for ICA. ICA will continue to conduct security checks to detect and deter illegal importation attempts so as to keep Singapore safe. SFA will continue to safeguard food safety through our integrate food safety system, which includes strict import regulations and enforcement, and work closely with border control agencies to deter illegal import across our borders.

SINGAPORE FOOD AGENCY
IMMIGRATION & CHECKPOINTS AUTHORITY
5 OCTOBER 2022