Company and Director fined for operating an unlicensed cold store, another individual
fined for illegally importing meat products
- SK Retail Pte Ltd was fined $4,800 by the Court on 8 Oct 2024 for illegally operating an
unlicensed cold store and to store assorted meat and seafood products for the purpose of
selling. Its Director, Kwon Young Soo, was also fined $4,800 for failing to prevent the offence
from being committed. In a separate case, an individual, Htun Naing Thaung, was fined $7,000
for importing meat products illegally from Myanmar intended for sale
SK Retail Pte Ltd
- On 16 May 2023, officers from the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) found that SK Retail
Pte Ltd had stored assorted meat and seafood products at its premises at 30 Marsiling
Industrial Estate Road 5, which is not licensed as a cold store. A total of about 207 kg of
assorted meat and seafood products were seized.
On 16 May 2023, a total of about 207 kg of assorted meat and seafood products
were seized in an unlicensed cold store at 30 Marsiling Industrial Estate Road 5. (Photo: SFA)
- Illegal storage of meat and seafood at unlicensed facilities poses a food safety risk.
Under 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 to be possessing any meat or seafood products which has 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 2 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 3 years.
Htun Naing Thaung
- On 13 May 2023, SFA officers detected more than 50kg of assorted meat products
imported illegally from Myanmar without a valid permit by Htun Naing Thaung. The assorted
meat products include sausages (pork, chicken, beef, and mutton) and raw chicken. All the
illegal meat products were seized.
Illegally imported meat products seized (Photos: SFA)
- In Singapore, food imports must meet SFA’s requirements. 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 meat products can only be imported from accredited
sources in approved countries that comply with our food safety standards and requirements.
- Offenders who import meat products illegally from unapproved sources or found in
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 a subsequent conviction, offenders shall be
liable to a fine not exceeding $100,000 and/or imprisonment of up to three years.
