4 operators' licences revoked indefinitely for passing off beef as mutton
POSTED: 26 Apr 2013 7:06 PM
On 24 April, the operators of four outlets pleaded guilty to a charge under the Sale of Food Act and were fined S$3,000 each. Two other outlet operators will have their cases heard at the end of this month.
Pieces of beef meat are displayed. (AFP File)
SINGAPORE: Operators of six cooked food outlets are in trouble with the law for passing beef off as mutton in dishes on their menu.
On 24 April, the operators of four outlets pleaded guilty to a charge under the Sale of Food Act and were fined S$3,000 each.
Two other outlet operators will have their cases heard at the end of this month.
The operators of the four outlets have had their licences to operate a food retail outlet revoked indefinitely with effect from Friday.
The outlets are Deen Biasa Restaurant at Jalan Sultan; M. Mohamed Ismail Mee Goreng Specialist, N.M. Abdul Rahim, and A. Rashid Khan Mutton Soup Specialist - located at Ayer Rajah Food Centre.
The National Environment Agency (NEA) said following public feedback on 15 October 2012, it investigated 15 restaurants and hawker stalls which were suspected to be serving beef in mutton dishes.
NEA tested the DNA of various samples of mutton dishes offered by all 15 outlets at AVA's laboratory.
Out of the 22 samples taken from 17 to 19 October 2012, beef was found in eight samples taken from dishes supplied by six outlets.
NEA takes a serious view of this offence of passing beef off as mutton.
It has sent out advisories to all meat sellers - such as example market stalls, market produce shops and supermarkets - to remind them it is an offence to sell adulterated meat.
They have also been reminded to use separate equipment for processing different meats.
NEA said it will continue with random checks and follow up on all feedback received.
- CNA/ck
