Bak kwa ban remains as Malaysia not approved for pork imports, SFA clarifies
Singapore residents are still banned from bringing bak kwa (barbecued pork slices) into the country from Malaysia, the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) confirmed Sunday (19 Jan).
The SFA’s announcement comes after multiple complaints surfaced on social media, with people reporting difficulties at customs when trying to carry this popular Chinese New Year (CNY) treat across the border.
One individual shared her experience in the Complaint Singapore Facebook group, revealing that she had to discard $150 worth of bak kwa after it was seized at the border.
Other users reported similar encounters, including thorough vehicle inspections and having their meat products confiscated.
The confusion arose after the passage of the Food Safety and Security Bill on 8 Jan, which many hoped would allow easier access to imports from neighbouring countries, including Malaysia.
However, the SFA emphasised that while the bill aims to expand the range of approved meat source countries, its implementation timeline has yet to be finalised.
For now, Singapore’s regulations still restrict bak kwa imports from Malaysia.
However, the SFA confirmed that Singapore residents can still bring up to 5kg of bak kwa from approved countries, such as Australia and Japan, which are recognised as safe sources for pork.
The SFA also reiterated its commitment to ensuring that pork and beef imports meet the country’s stringent safety standards.
With the growing popularity of bak kwa during the Chinese New Year season, the agency reminded travellers to adhere to the existing guidelines and refrain from attempting to bring non-approved meat products into the country.
Read on SFA's clarification on the bak kwa ban from Malaysia here.