SINGAPORE, March 20 (Xinhua) -- Singapore does not import any meat from companies involved in the meat adulteration in Brazil, said the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) in a press release on Monday.
Singapore is not involved as none of the affected meat processing establishments are approved to export to Singapore, AVA said.
AVA said it has stepped up surveillance of imported meat and meat products from Brazil, adding that the authority is monitoring the situation closely and has been liaising with the Brazilian authorities to get more details.
The authority also revealed it is working with meat importers to monitor the situation and to get prepared to ramp up alternative sources if necessary.
In the press release, AVA elaborated that meat and meat products can only be imported into Singapore from AVA accredited sources, which involves two levels of checks.
AVA said it will first assess the robustness of an exporting country's national animal health and food safety system and the authorities' powers to enforce food safety requirements, such as minimizing microbial contamination and chemical residues.
If the country is approved as a source of meat supply, each meat establishment within the country will then be individually evaluated to ensure that they meet AVA's food safety requirements, before meat which processed by the establishment can be exported to Singapore.
Upon arrival in Singapore, every meat consignment is physically checked for spoilage and the health certification verified at the point of import.
In addition, samples are also taken for laboratory testing. Failed products will not be allowed to be sold.
AVA stated that up to date, there have not been any significant instances of non-compliance in meat shipments from Brazil.
Earlier on Monday, Brazilian ambassador to Singapore Flavio Damico confirmed with local media Channel NewsAsia that meat adulteration in Brazil doesn't affect exports to Singapore.
The Brazilian police on March 17 uncovered a massive scheme of meat adulteration, which involves some of the country's largest meat producers.
The probe revealed major meat producers bribed health inspectors to certify tainted food as fit for consumption.
