Obayed Holdings Pte Ltd fined $6,000 for poor maintenance of central kitchen premises

Obayed Holdings Pte Ltd, a central kitchen licensed for the manufacturing of cooked meals, was fined a total of $6,000 by the Court on Thursday for two charges of failure to ensure that its premises is properly maintained and kept clean.
During routine inspections of the licensee’s premises on 5 September and 15 November 2019 by the Singapore Food Agency (SFA), several lapses were identified, which include widespread cockroach infestation within the premises, structural damages such as cracked floor tiles in the cooking room, and poor housekeeping, resulting in the presence of houseflies and ants in the cutting room.
SFA stated in its press release that food safety is a joint responsibility as food can be contaminated anywhere along the food chain.
“While SFA continues to be vigilant and works to ensure that regulatory measures are in place and properly enforced, the industry and consumers must also play their part,” it said, stressing that all food operators should ensure that their premises are clean and well-maintained, and staff are adequately trained on proper food safety management.
Food operators who do not adhere to regulations or comply with food hygiene and food safety requirements are liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $5,000 and, in the case of a continuing offence, to a further fine not exceeding $100 for every day or part thereof during which the offence continues after conviction.