*********************************************************
The operator of a fresh provision shop was fined $20,000 by the Kwun Tong Magistrates' Court today (August 23) for selling pork containing clenbuterol.
The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department mounted a blitz operation against meat shop malpractices on March 23. Fresh pork suspected to be of dubious origin was seized at a fresh provision shop at stall No. 87, ground floor, Tai Ping Market in Lei Yue Mun Plaza.
Samples of pork were taken for tests and clenbuterol residues were found.
A department spokesman warned that selling meat containing clenbuterol was a breach of the Harmful Substances in Food Regulations. The maximum penalty is $50,000 and six months' imprisonment.
"We will continue to closely monitor the sale of meat at retail level and take stringent enforcement action to safeguard food safety and public health.
"Anyone who has doubts about meat being sold at retail outlets should call the department's hotline at 2868 0000," the spokesman said.
Ends/Thursday, August 23, 2007
Issued at HKT 18:58
NNNN