Average Time for Completing Food Product Recalls

Ms Nadia Ahmad Samdin asked the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment (a) what is the average length of time for completing food product recalls for notices issued in the past three years; and (b) what enforcement action has been taken against retailers and importers in those cases.

Ms Grace Fu Hai Yien: When the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) issues food recall directions, implicated businesses must remove affected products from all distribution points within 48 hours and report back to SFA once the recall is completed. SFA checks the consolidated recalled products at businesses' premises after completion to verify compliance with the direction. Failure to comply with the direction constitutes an offence and may result in prosecution in court.

In the past three years, SFA has not had to take enforcement action against any business issued a recall direction, as they have complied with the direction. In the event that affected products are found for sale, SFA will investigate and take the relevant enforcement actions.