**************************************************
The Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene has ordered four food premises, in Sham Shui Po and Tuen Mun, to suspend business for eight to 14 days with effect from today (March 26), as the operators repeatedly breached the Food Business Regulation (FBR) by illegally extending the food business area and storing open food improperly on the premises.
"The premises are 'Kam Kee', a food factory located at shop No. 1 on the ground floor of Joyful Garden at 33-39 Pei Ho Street in Sham Shui Po; 'Siu Kee Chiu Chow Lo Mei Siu Lap', a siu mei and lo mei shop located at shop No. 5 (major portion) on the ground floor of block 9 of Mei Foo Sun Chuen Phase One at Broadway in Sham Shui Po; 'Kam Yuk Moon Tong', a general restaurant located at shop A07 and with outside seating accommodation at the shop front on the ground floor of Goodrich Garden Shopping Arcade at 9 Leung Tak Street in Tuen Mun; and 'Hing Kee Siu Lap Seafood Restaurant', a general restaurant located at cooked food stall No. 9-12 on the ground floor of Sam Shing Estate at 6 Sam Shing Street in Tuen Mun," a spokesman for the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) said.
A total of two convictions for illegally extending the food business area were recorded against "Kam Kee" in last December and January this year. A total fine of $3,700 was levied by the court and 30 demerit points were registered against the licensee under the department's demerit points system. The contraventions resulted in 14-day business suspension, running from today to April 8.
As for "Siu Kee Chiu Chow Lo Mei Siu Lap", two convictions for storing open food improperly on the premises were recorded in August and October last year. A total fine of $5,500 was levied by the court and 15 demerit points were registered against the licensee under the department's demerit points system. Regarding "Kam Yuk Moon Tong" and "Hing Kee Siu Lap Seafood Restaurant", two convictions for illegally extending the food business area were recorded against each premises between April and August last year. Total fines of $3,600 and $8,100 were levied respectively and 30 demerit points were registered for each. The breaches led to business suspension for 14 days for these three premises. The licensees concerned lodged an appeal to the Licensing Appeals Board, which decided to suspend the licence of "Siu Kee Chiu Chow Lo Mei Siu Lap" and "Kam Yuk Moon Tong" for 10 days (i.e. from today to April 4) whereas "Hing Kee Siu Lap Seafood Restaurant" had its license suspended for eight days (i.e. from today to April 2) instead.
The licensees of the four food premises each had a record of two convictions for the same offences in 2012 and 2013. Fines ranging from $3,100 to $9,200 were levied by the court and either 15 or 30 demerit points were registered against the licensees. The breaches led to business suspension of all four premises for two to seven days last year.
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, March 26, 2014
Issued at HKT 15:01
NNNN
