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SINGAPORE: Local importer Yuan Sang was fined S $ 3,800 on Wednesday (December 9) for illegally bringing in imitation black moss from China.
In a press release, the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) said it found 100kg of undeclared black moss during an inspection in November 2019.
“All of the illegal shipments were seized,” SFA said.
Samples of black moss were sent to a lab for authentication, the agency said, adding that test results showed they were imitation black moss.
“Certain categories of high-risk food products are subject to laboratory testing by the SFA and can only be sold or supplied to the public with satisfactory test results,” the agency said.
Violators who sell food that is not of the quality, nature or substance of the food demanded by the buyer face a fine of up to S $ 5,000. Repeat offenders could be fined up to S $ 10,000, jailed for up to three months, or both.
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“In Singapore, food imports must meet SFA requirements. Food can only be imported by licensed importers, and each shipment must be declared and accompanied by a valid import permit,” SFA said.
The agency added that illegally imported food products are of unknown origin and may pose a food safety risk.
Those convicted of illegally importing processed food face a fine of up to S $ 1,000. The fine could double to S $ 2,000 for repeat offenders.
