SINGAPORE: The Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) has issued a recall for iceberg lettuce sold at NTUC FairPrice and Sheng Siong supermarkets.

The recall comes after the iceberg lettuce from a Malaysian farm were found to contain high levels of fipronil, a "wide-spectrum pesticide", AVA said on Thursday (Oct 4).



The implicated product is imported by Go Fresh Impex and sold at the two supermarket chains. AVA has directed the importer to conduct a recall, which is ongoing, the agency said.

"Consumers who have purchased the affected products may contact the respective supermarket retail outlets for enquiries," AVA said.

The agency advised the public to practise good food safety by washing and soaking vegetables to remove any pesticide residue before cooking or consumption.



NTUC FAIRPRICE OBSERVED "ANOMALY" IN PRODUCT

NTUC FairPrice told Channel NewsAsia that it first observed an "anomaly" in the iceberg lettuce - which were sold under the Pasar brand with the supplier code 40 - earlier this month and had approached AVA for lab tests.

A sample of the product was sent to AVA on Oct 2 for lab tests. Two days later on Oct 4, FairPrice said it was informed by AVA that the product contained higher than permitted amounts of pesticide, the spokesperson added.

"All affected products have since been removed from the stores and we are in the process of informing customers of the product recall this morning through in-store collaterals and social media.

"Customers who have purchased this product from Sep 28 to Oct 4 can claim a full refund from any FairPrice store by Oct 11," the spokesperson said.

"They can also contact us at our customer relations hotline at 65522722 or through email at general.feedback@fairprice.com.sg."

The supermarket chain added that it was working closely with the supplier and AVA to ensure that all its products meet strict quality and food safety standards.

A Sheng Siong spokesperson told Channel NewsAsia the supermarket chain has also removed the affected products from its shelves, and has brought in iceberg lettuce from a different supplier.

"Customers who have purchased the affected product from Sheng Siong may return the product with its proof of purchase to any of our stores for a full refund," he said.