*****************************************************

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) smashed an illegal poultry dressing factory and seized 114 live and dressed chickens during a blitz operation in Yuen Long early this (May 16) morning. A woman was arrested.

FEHD officers laid an ambush around a 20-square-metre temporary structure at 64, Tai Kei Leng Tsuen at about 3.30am. They took action at about 5am upon detection of unlicensed food business inside.

A search on the premises led to the seizure of 78 live chickens. Officers also found on the filthy floor 36 dressed chickens and a dehairing machine.

Initial investigation revealed that the chickens allegedly came from approved sources. The live chickens seized were subsequently handed over to the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department for safe custody pending court decision.

A 40-year-old woman, who was arrested on the scene, was subsequently charged with operating an unlicensed food factory and failing to protect open food from risk of contamination.

According to the Food Business Regulation, the maximum penalty for operating an unlicensed food factory is a fine of $50,000 and six months' imprisonment plus a daily fine of $900.

End/Friday, May 16, 2003

NNNN