Malaysia
Singapore
Thailand
H&Z Mart Pte Ltd, an online retailer, was fined $10,000 by the Court for the operation
of an unlicensed cold storage room on 24 May 2020. Its sole director, Ross Lee Jun Jie, was also fined $10,000 for failing to exercise due diligence to prevent the offence from being committed.
In November 2020, officers from the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) found that H&Z
Mart Pte Ltd had been storing approximately 2,630kg of meat and seafood products, such as pork, beef, fish and prawns in several unlicensed cold storage rooms.
The products were immediately seized by SFA. Illegal storage of meat and seafood at unlicensed facilities pose a serious food safety risk.
As an ex-chef myself, I firmly believe proper storage of raw products is at the utmost importance for food safety. Food bacteria that causes food poisoning tend to multiply rapidly to dangerous levels that may result in serious illness or even death.
Singapore Food Agency is particularly strict in regards to proper storage of raw products, at all food related companies.
Cold storage for meat and seafood products are only allowed to be operated with a valid license, under the Sale of Food Act and the Wholesome Meat and Fish Act. These licensed premises are routinely inspected.
It is illegal for an unlicensed cold storage room to possess any meat or seafood product, which has been kept for the purpose of selling or supplying.
Offenders 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.
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