TAIWAN RECALLS FOOD PRODUCTS DUE TO UNAPPROVED FOOD ADDITIVE
17 May 2013: The Taiwan Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued an alert on the detection of maleic acid, an unapproved food additive, in some food products manufactured in Taiwan. Occasional consumption at the levels detected by Taiwan FDA does not pose any significant health risk. However, long term consumption of high levels of maleic acid can cause kidney damage.
Of the affected products, only Sunright brand tapioca balls were imported. AVA has informed local importers of Sunright brand tapioca balls to withdraw them from sale and the withdrawal has been completed. Consumers who have purchased the affected product should either return it to the retailer or discard the product and not consume it.
As a precautionary measure, AVA is conducting surveillance of other similar food products from Taiwan to ensure that they do not contain maleic acid.
THE MINISTRY OF NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ACCEPTS THE ANIMAL WELFARE LEGISLATION REVIEW COMMITTEE'S RECOMMENDATIONS ON ANIMAL WELFARE
26 April 2013: Following the Animal Welfare Legislation Review Committee's (AWLRC) submission of its recommendations last month, the Ministry of National Development (MND) has announced the government's in-principle acceptance of all 24 recommendations.
AVA will be working with MND on the detailed implementation plans.
More details can be found at MND's media release and AWLRC's media release.
AVA HAS MEASURES IN PLACE TO PREVENT INCURSION OF BIRD FLU
12 April 2013: Singapore is currently free from bird flu. AVA has precautionary measures in place to keep the disease out of Singapore.
In light of recent reports of the influenza A (H7N9) situation in eastern China, AVA has stepped up our monitoring and surveillance.
AVA assures the public that poultry and poultry imports sold in Singapore are safe for consumption. AVA will continue to maintain vigilance and monitor the situation closely.
Click here for details of our precautionary measures.
AVA's FAQs on bird flu can be found here and the World Organisation for Animal Health's (OIE) FAQs on H7N9 can be found here.
AVA LIFTS SUSPENSION OF FOOD IMPORTS FROM JAPANESE PREFECTURES
8 April 2013: AVA is lifting the suspension of food imports from seven prefectures in Japan (Chiba, Gunma, Ibaraki, Kanagawa, Saitama, Tochigi and Tokyo) with immediate effect. This follows a review by AVA and assurances from the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries on the safety of food from Japan.
Click here for the press release and the chronology of events/actions taken by AVA since Japan's Nuclear Crisis in 2011.
VOLUNTARY RECALL OF NESTLE KIT KAT CHUNKY PEANUT BUTTER COMPLETED
25 March 2013: Nestle has initiated a voluntary recall of four flavours of Kit Kat Chunky and Kit Kat Chunky Collection Giant Egg in various countries, including Singapore, after receiving consumer feedback in the United Kingdom that a piece of plastic had been found in the affected products.
Of the affected products, Nestle Singapore only imports “Kit Kat Chunky Peanut Butter” (48g size bar). As a precautionary measure, Nestle Singapore has completed the voluntary recall of the affected products.
Consumers who have bought the affected product should either return it to the retailer or discard the product and not consume it.
THE ANIMAL WELFARE LEGISLATION REVIEW COMMITTEE SUBMITS ITS RECOMMENDATIONS TO GOVERNMENT
1 March 2013: The Animal Welfare Legislation Review Committee (AWLRC) was formed in April 2012 to review and recommend to government amendments to strengthen legislations on animal welfare, and approaches to enhance stakeholders’ collaboration on animal welfare. The AWLRC has submitted its recommendations and final report to the Ministry of National Development.
More details can be found at the press release and final report.
VOLUNTARY RECALL OF SPRING BAY LIVE BLUE MUSSELS FROM TASMANIA, AUSTRALIA COMPLETED
6 November 2012: The Food Standards Australia New Zealand has issued an alert on the recall of mussels produced in Tasmania due to presence of a naturally occurring marine biotoxin – paralytic shellfish toxin (PST).
The local importer has completed the voluntary recall of the products. Consumers who have bought the affected product should either return it to the retailer or discard the product and not consume it.
COOKING DEMONSTRATIONS AT SELECTED SUPERMARKETS
1 November 2012: Local is Best. Local is Fresh!
Learn how to whip up delicious dishes using locally farmed fish with our chefs at selected supermarkets!
Click here for cooking demonstration schedule.
VOLUNTARY RECALL OF B.D FARM PARIS CREEK ORGANIC BIODYNAMIC YOGHURT APRICOT FROM AUSTRALIA COMPLETED
1 November 2012: The Food Standards Australia New Zealand has issued an alert on the recall of a batch of yoghurt product from B.d Farm Paris Creek Pty Ltd due to microbial contamination (E. coli).
The local importer has completed the voluntary recall of the affected batch of product. Consumers who have bought the affected product should either return it to the retailer or discard the product and not consume it.
VOLUNTARY RECALL OF HOLLE ORGANIC 3-GRAIN PORRIDGE FROM DENMARK
25 September 2012: The Danish Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries has issued an alert to warn consumers against consuming a batch of Holle brand Organic 3-Grain Porridge (rice, maize and millet) as the product may contain high levels of mycotoxins such as orchratoxin A. Long term oral exposure to high levels of orchratoxin A may be toxic to the kidneys.
The importer, SuperNature Pte Ltd, has voluntarily recalled the affected product. Consumers who have bought the affected product should either return it to the retailer or discard the product and not feed it to infants.
AVA’S INVESTIGATION CONFIRMED UBIN DOGS’ DEATH DUE TO CANINE DISTEMPER VIRUS
17 August 2012: AVA was alerted to the deaths of several dogs on Pulau Ubin recently. We conducted a post-mortem examination on a carcass of a dog from Pulau Ubin and our findings indicate that the dog was infected with Canine Distemper Virus (CDV).
Click here for more information on the situation and advisory to pet owners on CDV.
