Company and Director fined for operating an unlicensed cold store, another individual fined for illegally importing meat products

1. 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

2. 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)

3. 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.


4. 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

5. 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)

6. 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.


7. 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.