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The operator of a fresh provision shop was fined $20,000 at the Fanling Magistracy today (December 1) for selling pork and pig liver containing Clenbuterol - a pharmaceutical product which is banned from being used in pig farming.

Health inspectors from the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) collected pork and pig liver samples for investigation of a food poisoning case from the Stall No. 16, Choi Yuen Estate Market, Sheung Shui on June 19.

Chemical analysis results revealed that the pork and liver samples contained Clenbuterol. The shop operator was subsequently charged with selling food not of substance demanded by the purchaser and selling food unfit for human consumption, a contravention of Section 52 and 54 of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance, Cap. 132.

This is the first time a meat retailer had been convicted under Section 54 of the Ordinance, which governs the sale of food unfit for human consumption, for the presence of Clenbuterol in pig products.

He was fined $5,000 and $15,000 respectively for the two offences and ordered by the court to pay for the sampling and examination costs.

Meanwhile, the operator of another fresh provision shop, situated at Stall No. 72, Tin Yiu Estate Market, Tin Shui Wai, Yuen Long, was also fined $10,000 plus sampling and examination costs at the Fanling Magistracy today for selling pig liver containing Clenbuterol.

He was charged under Section 52 of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance for selling food not of substance demanded by the purchaser.

This is the first time that the maximum fine of $10,000 was imposed by the court under Section 52 of the Ordinance.

An FEHD spokesman called on meat retailers to act responsibly and not to sell any pork or pig offal containing Clenbutoral. Otherwise, they will be prosecuted."

He warned: "Upon conviction, the maximum penalty of selling food unfit for human consumption is a fine of $50,000 and an imprisonment of six months while that of selling food not of substance demanded by the purchaser is a fine of $10,000 and three months' imprisonment."

"In addition, operators of fresh provision shops or market stalls may have their licences or tenancy agreements cancelled or terminated upon conviction," he added.

End/Friday, December 1, 2000

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