*********************************************************
¡@¡@The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (January 30) reminded all fresh provision shop and market poultry stall operators not to sell chilled/frozen poultry without FEHD's permission, and not to sell chilled or frozen poultry as fresh poultry.
¡@¡@Acting on information, FEHD officers this morning raided a fresh provision shop at stall no.42, first floor, Lucky Market, Tsz Wan Shan Shopping Centre. The shop was suspected of selling chilled poultry without FEHD's permission, which constitutes a breach of the Food Business Regulation.
¡@¡@Besides, the above shop was also suspected of selling chilled chickens as freshly dressed chickens. A total of 14 chilled ducks, 113 dressed chickens and some chicken parts were found in the premises. Two men are assisting investigations.
¡@¡@"This could involve a breach of the Food Business Regulation as the shop, with a licence permitting the sale of live poultry and fresh poultry carcass, was allegedly selling chilled poultry as well. The maximum penalty for this offence is a fine of $50,000 and six months' imprisonment," the spokesman said.
¡@¡@He added that selling chilled or frozen poultry as freshly dressed poultry constitutes a breach of licensing condition for fresh provision shops. The department would consider cancelling the licence of the above fresh provision shop.
¡@¡@The spokesman said the department would continue to closely monitor the sale of poultry at retail level and take enforcement action to safeguard food safety and public health.
¡@¡@"Anyone who has doubts about poultry being sold at retail outlets should call the department's hotline at 2868 0000," he said.
Ends/Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Issued at HKT 20:26
NNNN