HCMC – The Ministry of Industry and Trade has issued a warning to Vietnamese coffee exporters to Singapore, urging them to stay informed about the country’s food regulations to ensure compliance.
This alert follows the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) detection of the banned substance Sibutramine in coffee products originating from Malaysia and other countries. The SFA has advised consumers to avoid products containing this substance.
Sibutramine, commonly found in weight loss drugs, has been banned in Singapore since 2010 due to its potential to cause serious cardiovascular and neurological problems.
According to Singaporean law, the distribution of unsafe food products is a criminal offense, punishable by fines ranging from SGD5,000 to SGD10,000 (equivalent to VND95 million to VND190 million), and could even result in imprisonment.
Cao Xuan Thang, commercial counsellor of the Vietnam Trade Office in Singapore, highlighted Singapore’s stringent food safety standards, stressing the importance for Vietnamese exporters to adhere strictly to local regulations.
