FEHD orders three food premises to suspend business
***************************************************

     The Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene has ordered a light refreshment restaurant in Yuen Long and two general restaurants in Sham Shui Po to suspend business for 14 to 15 days from today (January 22) onwards, as the operators had repeatedly breached the Food Business Regulation (FBR) by illegally extending the food business area.

     "The food premises are Chow Chow Cafˆm, located at shop 24 on the ground floor and with outside seating accommodation at the shopfront of Ho Shun King Building at 3 Fung Yau Street South in Yuen Long; 'Ying Kei Congee and Noodles Restaurant', located on the ground floor at 27-29 Kweilin Street in Sham Shui Po; and 'Jen Jen Restaurant', located at shop 6 on the ground floor of Joyful Garden at 33-39 Pei Ho Street in Sham Shui Po," a spokesman for the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) said.

     A total of six convictions for illegally extending the food business area were recorded against Chow Chow Cafˆm between May 2011 and last February. A total fine of $23,000 was levied by the court and 90 demerit points were registered against the licensee under the department's demerit points system. The contraventions resulted in the cancellation of the licence. The licensee lodged an appeal with the Licensing Appeals Board, which decided to suspend the licence for 15 days in place of cancellation of the licence. It was ordered to suspend business from today to February 5.

     Regarding "Ying Kei Congee and Noodles Restaurant" and "Jen Jen Restaurant", two convictions for illegally extending the food business area were recorded in last July and November for both restaurants. Total fines of $4,200 and $6,300 were levied by the court respectively and 30 demerit points were registered against each licensee under the department's demerit points system. The contraventions resulted in the 14-day business suspensions, running from today to February 4. The licensees of the food premises had a record of two convictions respectively for the same offence between July 2012 and last May. Total fines of $3,700 and $5,700 were levied and 30 demerit points were registered against each licensee. The breaches led to business suspension of both restaurants for seven days in last August.

     The spokesman reminded licensees of food premises to comply with the FBR or their licences could be suspended or cancelled.

     Licensed food premises are required to exhibit a sign indicating that the premises have been licensed at a conspicuous place near the main entrance. A list of licensed food premises is also available on the FEHD's website (www.fehd.gov.hk/english/licensing/licence-type.html).

Ends/Wednesday, January 22, 2014
Issued at HKT 15:01

NNNN