THE National Environment Agency (NEA) has slapped 31 pork retailers with fines of $300 each, this year for passing off thawed frozen pork as chilled pork.

In a statement on Friday, the Consumer Association of Singapore (CASE) said it takes a serious view of this and advises consumers to be extra careful when making such purchases.

CASE said meat, either chilled or frozen is flown from the abattoir to retailers to ensure that consumers here enjoy fresh produce.

Chilled fresh meat is more expensive than its frozen equivalent because of transportation costs, handling charges and shorter shelf life.

For example, chilled fresh pork costs about 50 per cent more than the frozen version.

CASE said given the price difference, 'some traders are tempted to pass off the thawed frozen meat as chilled fresh meat'.

'This is compounded by the ignorance of consumers to judge visually whether the slab of meat is chilled or formerly frozen,' it added.

To help consumers make the right choice, CASE is urging meat retailers to physically segregate chilled meat from thawed meat and to have the products clearly labeled if it's displayed in the same chiller.

On top of this, the chiller should also display an additional label that says : 'Thawed Frozen Meat: Do not refreeze; To be consumed within 3 days.'

CASE advises consumers to patronise shops that have these labels displayed clearly.

Consumers should also ask the butcher or retailer if the pork is chilled or frozen, if it's not clearly labeled.

Consumers can all NEA's 24-hour hotline at 1800 2255 632, to report on errant retailers.

CASE said it'll conduct random surveys on different kinds of meat sold in the market.

NEA will also continue with its enforcement checks.

Those who sell thawed frozen meat as chilled meat could be fined up to $2,000.

Repeated offenders face additional fines of up to $100 for each day the offence continues.