Company & Director fined for permitting food stalls to operate without licence, another company fined for illegally operating unlicensed cold store

Company & Director fined for permitting food stalls to operate without licence, another company fined for illegally operating unlicensed cold store

1. Megaxpress International Pte Ltd was fined $6,400 by the Court today for permitting food stalls at a temporary fair to operate without first obtaining a licence. Its director Hamzah Bin Abdullah was also fined $6,400 for failing to prevent the offence from being committed. In a separate case, Ah Lim & Son Pte Ltd was fined $3,000 for illegally operating an unlicenced cold store to store seafood otak-otak.

Megaxpress International Pte Ltd

2. On 10 March 2023, SFA officers found 21 unlicensed food stalls and three unlicensed food trucks operating at the “Hari Raya Mega Sale 2023” fair at Singapore Expo Hall 5A. In the interest of public health, the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) directed Megaxpress International Pte Ltd to cease operations of the unlicensed food stalls and food trucks.

Food stalls and food trucks operating without SFA licenses. (Photos: SFA)

3. Under the Environmental Public Health Act, all operators of temporary fairs must get a permit from SFA for the duration of the fair. This allows SFA to ensure that fair operators have complied with measures to ensure food safety. Applications should be submitted at least two weeks before the fair commencement date. Food and beverage stalls at temporary fairs are required to be licensed by SFA. Food handlers at these stalls must also pass the mandatory Food Safety Course Level 1. SFA will take enforcement action against temporary fair operators who do not adhere to regulations. Offenders are liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $2,000 and, in the case of a continuing offence, to a further fine not exceeding $100 for every day or part thereof during which the offence continues after conviction.

Ah Lim & Son Pte Ltd

4. On 29 February 2024, SFA officers found that Ah Lim & Son Pte Ltd had stored seafood otak-otak at its premises at 1 Yishun Street 23 #03-23, YS-ONE, Singapore 768441, without a valid cold store licence. About 220kg of seafood otakotak was seized.

On 29 February 2024, about 220kg of seafood otak-otak was seized in an unlicensed cold store at 1 Yishun
Street 23 #03-23, YS-ONE, Singapore 768441 (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. Offenders who store meat and/or fish products illegally shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months, or to both.