Instant hotpots have been making waves this year — first in China then in Singapore, where they’re sold mostly online, on sites like Qoo10 and Carousell. But as it turns, out what you’ve been happily eating may not have been approved by the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA).
In a statement yesterday, the authority said that it did not approve the import and sale of instant hotpots that contain meat, such as Ba Shu Hotpot, a Chengdu-based brand that launched the popular item in flavors like original, rice and meat, and beef last December.
“Food products containing meat can only be imported from approved sources that comply with AVA food safety standards and requirements, as these products could carry animal and food-borne diseases of public health,” AVA explained.
As such, those items were seized and the importers have been fined. The amount of the fine and the number of affected products were not revealed by AVA, but a spokesperson told TODAY that enforcement action has been taken against six importers and four sellers.
According to The Straits Times, there’s also been a fake “AVA certificate” circulating online — this licence was understood to be issued to a Ba Shu Hotpot supplier to import processed food products and appliances, with the product’s logo superimposed on it.
AVA said that it conducts inspections and surveillance on imported food products to ensure that they’re up to standard and that they abide by the proper requirements. It has advised the public to purchase food from reputable sources.
For importing food from unapproved sources, individuals can be fined a maximum of S$50,000 (US$36,783) and/or be jailed for up to two years.
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