CFS seizes illegally imported poultry eggs and egg products
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     The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) announced today (November 1) that a consignment of poultry eggs and egg products was illegally imported into Hong Kong. All products have been seized and none has entered the market. Follow-up is in progress.
      
     "The CFS was informed by the Customs and Excise Department last night that Customs officers had intercepted an inbound goods vehicle at Man Kam To Control Point and found a consignment of suspected illegally imported poultry eggs and egg products. The case was referred to the FEHD for follow-up. The 66-year-old male driver was arrested by the FEHD," a CFS spokesman said.
      
     The seized egg products included 420 bottles of liquid eggs (9 870 kilograms of weight), 21 cartons of salted egg yolks (362kg) and 20 cartons of duck eggs (480kg). All of the products were imported without the required health certificates and written permission from the FEHD. All the products were disposed of by the CFS.
      
     According to the Imported Game, Meat, Poultry and Eggs Regulations (Cap 132AK), any person who imports poultry eggs or eggs should obtain permission in writing from a health officer of the FEHD and produce a health certificate issued by an issuing entity from the place of origin recognised by the Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene to certify that the eggs are fit for human consumption. An offender is liable on conviction to a fine of $50,000 and six months' imprisonment.
      
     "As poultry eggs and egg products from dubious sources have not been tested, they may pose health risks to the public, the CFS and relevant departments will step up surveillance and continue to deter the illegal import of poultry eggs and egg products into Hong Kong to safeguard food safety and public health," the spokesman said.
      
     The spokesman reminded the trade to comply with the law and not to import or sell poultry eggs and egg products from dubious sources and without health certificates. Members of the public should purchase poultry eggs and egg products from licensed and reputable vendors.
      
     The CFS will continue to closely follow up on the incident and take appropriate action, including tracing the source of the products concerned and informing the Mainland authorities of the incident. Investigation is ongoing.

Ends/Wednesday, November 1, 2017
Issued at HKT 20:15

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