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In a press release on June 30, the Singapore Food Agency said that the director of Bobertea Clementi Pte Ltd, Oh Jing Wen Joseph, was fined S$5,500 for failing to comply with the Covid-19 (Temporary Measures) Act.

A manager, Kok Khen Foon Gabriel, was fined S$6,500 for the same charge as well as for operating an unlicensed retail food establishment.

Unlicensed operations

On May 29 last year, SFA officers inspected the outlet at Blk 442 Clementi Avenue 3 and found that it had started operations even though an SFA licence had not been obtained.

This was also during the circuit breaker period when non-essential businesses and standalone F&B businesses that sell only beverages, packaged snacks, confectionaries or desserts were required to close.

All ingredients used for the preparation of bubble teas were seized and destroyed on the same day.

Further investigations found that Kok was taking online orders for bubble teas without the knowledge of Oh. He was also conducting staff training at the outlet, as instructed by Oh.

Under the Environmental Public Health Act in Singapore, no person shall operate a food establishment without a valid licence. Offenders shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding S$10,000.

In the case where the person is a repeat offender, the person shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding S$20,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months or to both.

During the Circuit Breaker period, non-essential service providers were also not allowed to carry on businesses.

Under the Covid-19 (Temporary Measures) Act 2020, first-time offenders will face a fine of up to S$10,000, imprisonment of up to six months, or both. Subsequent offenders may face a fine of up to S$20,000, imprisonment of up to twelve months, or both

Top photo via Boberteasg/FB, SFA.