Food processing firm charged for cockroaches and rat droppings on its premises
SINGAPORE — A food processing business on suspension for rat and cockroach infestations on its premises was charged in court over the hygiene lapses on Wednesday (11 November).
Dawood Flour Mill & Provision, a grinding and packing business at Bedok North Street 5, was charged with failing to ensure that the premises were properly maintained and kept clean on 29 January. Dawood deals with the packing or grinding of spices, flour and cereals, and other dried foodstuffs such as nuts, rice and sugar.
Investigations revealed that Dawood is said to have allowed cockroaches to infest the hinges and rubber linings of a refrigerator and at a machinery used for food production in the processing area.
Extensive rat droppings were allegedly observed on the floor of the preparation area, the storage room, and the surface of machinery used for food production, according to Dawood’s charge sheet.
A company representative accepted the charge on Wednesday. The company intends to plead guilty at a hearing on 2 December.
The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) suspended Dawood’s license with effect from 30 January this year after an inspection of the premises a day earlier.
The SFA said in a statement then that apart from pest infestations, several other lapses related to poor housekeeping were observed. The suspension was in the interest of public health, and Dawood had to rectify the lapses and take measures to improve its cleanliness, it added.
If convicted, Dawood faces a fine up to $5,000 for a first offence. If the offence continues, the firm may face a further fine of a maximum $100 for every day that it continues after conviction.
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