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Seven seafood stall operators allegedly selling crabs tied with excessive weeds may have committed offences under the Weights and Measures Ordinance.
Officers of the Customs and Excise Department, acting as customers, purchased crabs in various marketplaces in Tuen Mun, Sheung Shui, Mong Kok and Kwun Tong several times in January.
After the transactions, the officers revealed their identities and checked the purchased items with electronic scales. They suspected that the net weight of the crabs, which were tied up with excessive weeds, was short of the purporting weight.
According to examination results of the Government Laboratory, the net weight of the crabs was allegedly less than the purporting weight. The differences ranged from 13% to 47%.
Investigations are continuing, and Customs officers will prosecute the seven seafood stall operators.
A spokesman for the Customs and Excise Department today (February 5) said that Customs officers would continue to take stringent enforcement action against short weight activities to protect consumer interest and uphold a fair trading environment.
Under the Weights and Measures Ordinance, anyone who in the course of trade supplies goods by weight or measure, should supply the goods in net weight or net measure. Any shortage of quantity purporting to be supplied is an offence. The maximum penalty is a fine of $10,000.
Ends/Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Issued at HKT 18:13
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