Operation against meat-selling malpractices
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    The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (November 22) reminded all fresh provision shop and market stall operators not to sell fresh and chilled/frozen meat without FEHD's permission, and not to sell chilled/frozen meat as fresh meat.

     Acting on information, FEHD officers this morning raided a fresh provision shop in Lok Shan Road, To Kwa Wan, which was suspected of selling chilled pork as fresh pork. About 130 kilogrammes of chilled pork were seized. Five men are assisting the investigation.

     "This could involve a breach of the Food Business Regulation as the shop, with a licence permitting the sale of fresh pork, was  allegedly selling chilled pork as well. The maximum penalty for this offence is a fine of $50,000 and six months' imprisonment," the spokesman said.

     He added that upon conviction, the licence of the fresh provision shop would be cancelled.

     He said the department would continue to closely monitor the sale of meat at retail level and take 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," he said.

Ends/Thursday, November 22, 2007
Issued at HKT 18:50

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