2.          In November 2023, the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) and Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) conducted a joint operation on delivery trucks entering Singapore at Woodlands Checkpoint. During the operation, ICA officers referred a truck carrying food produce consigned to Ying Kah Trading LLP to SFA for further checks as they had uncovered discrepancies in the transported consignment.

3.          SFA’s investigations found that the company illegally imported over 760 kg of undeclared and under-declared fresh and processed fruits and vegetables in the consignments imported from Malaysia. The produce included pineapples, cut cabbage, bayam and peeled garlic. All illegal consignments were seized.

Consignments of fresh and processed produce 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 a top priority for ICA. ICA will continue to conduct security checks to detect and deter illegal importation attempts to keep Singapore safe. SFA will continue to safeguard food safety through our integrated food safety system, which includes strict import regulations and enforcement, and work closely with border control agencies to deter illegal importation across our borders.