47. Inspection and examination
Feedback & supportA Medical Officer of Health or a public health auxiliary may at all reasonable times enter into and inspect any place which is used, or which he has reasonable grounds for believing to be used, for the sale, either wholesale or retail, of articles of food or drink intended for human consumption, or any place which is used, or which he has reasonable grounds for believing to be used, for the preparation or storage of such articles intended for sale, or search any cart or vehicle or any basket, sack, bag or parcel which he has reasonable grounds for believing to contain articles of food or drink intended for human consumption and may examine any such articles which are therein.
Medical Officer of Health
“Medical Officer of Health” means any registered medical practitioner in the service of the Government who is for the time being carrying out the duties of a health officer in any area or district in Singapore or the port limits thereof, and includes the Airport Health Officer, the Port Health Officer and any registered medical practitioner in the service of the Government who is engaged in duties arising out of or connected with this Act;
If it appears to such Medical Officer of Health or public health auxiliary that any such articles are unfit for human consumption, the articles shall be disposed of as the Commissioner may direct, and the proceeds, if any, retained pending an order from the Magistrate’s Court.
public health auxiliary
“public health auxiliary” means a public health inspector, an assistant public health inspector, or a public health overseer, in the service of the Government;
Any person who, without lawful excuse, has in his possession any article of food or drink intended for human consumption which is unfit for human consumption shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $1,000.
food
“food” includes drink, chewing gum and other products of a like nature and use, and articles and substances used as ingredients in the preparation of food or drink or of such products, but does not include —(a)live animals or birds;(b)fodder or feeding stuffs for animals, birds or fish; or(c)articles or substances used only as drugs;
A certificate under the hand of the Commissioner may be accepted by a Magistrate’s Court as sufficient evidence that such articles were unfit for human consumption at the time of seizure.
Commissioner
“Commissioner” means the Commissioner of Public Health appointed under section 3 and includes a Deputy Commissioner of Public Health and an Assistant Commissioner of Public Health appointed under that section;
If a Magistrate’s Court finds that the articles seized were fit for human consumption, it shall order that such articles or such portion thereof as may be in good condition shall be returned to the owner or to the person in whose possession the articles were found and may order payment to such owner or person of such reasonable amount as the Court considers will compensate him for any loss or depreciation that has been caused by the seizure.[48
owner
“owner” means the person for the time being receiving the rent of any premises, whether on his own account or as agent or trustee or as receiver, or who would receive the same if the land or house comprised in the premises were let to a tenant;