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The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (December 21) reminded fresh provision shop and market stall operators not to sell meat without a license, and not to pass off chilled/frozen meat as fresh.
FEHD officers raided three fresh provision shops suspected of selling chilled mutton without permission in Wan Chai Road, Canton Road and Tai Wai Market last Friday (December 18). Two men were charged with breaching the Food Business Regulation during the operation. A man is helping with investigations.
"The shops, which carried a licence permitting the sale of fresh meat only, were allegedly selling chilled mutton as well," an FEHD spokesman said. The maximum penalty for breaching the law is a fine of $50,000 and six months' imprisonment.
The spokesman said the department would continue to monitor the sale of meat at the retail level and take enforcement action to safeguard food safety and public health.
"Anyone who has doubts about meat being sold at retail outlets should call 1823 Call Centre," he said.
Ends/Monday, December 21, 2009
Issued at HKT 19:17
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