FEHD steps up enforcement actions against unlicensed food factories selling mooncakes online
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An FEHD spokesman said today (September 13), "The FEHD has been monitoring online food sale activities. If any food sold online for human consumption is suspected of involving unlicensed food business or is from a suspicious source, the FEHD will conduct investigations and take follow-up actions accordingly. As the Mid-Autumn Festival is coming, FEHD officers have enhanced surveillance on online sale of mooncakes (including snowy mooncakes), and upon thorough investigations, detected five unlicensed food factories selling mooncakes online, with four of them operated as family-run workshops, in Sai Kung, Sheung Shui, Kwai Chung and Tai Po. Prosecutions have been instituted against the unlicensed operators concerned. The operation is ongoing."
The spokesman said that any person who carries on any food business which involves the preparation of food for sale for human consumption off the premises must obtain a food factory licence under the Food Business Regulation (Cap. 132X). For online sale of restricted food, relevant licences or written permission should be obtained from the FEHD, having regard to the modes of operation and categories of food for sale.
He urged the trade to observe the relevant laws and regulations when selling food online. Any person who operates an unlicensed food business or sells restricted foods without permission is liable on conviction to a maximum fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for six months. A daily fine of $900 may also be imposed.
The spokesman also reminded members of the public to pay attention to the safety issues and inherent risks of purchasing food online. They are advised to check and make sure that food business operators handle and deliver the food properly and the food being sold are obtained from lawful sources before placing orders online.
The spokesman appealed to members of the public to report unlicensed food business activities by calling 1823 or the FEHD's hotline at 2868 0000.
The spokesman stressed that the FEHD would continue to monitor the online sale of mooncakes and take stringent enforcement actions against unlicensed food factories to safeguard food safety and public health.
Ends/Tuesday, September 13, 2016
Issued at HKT 19:48
Issued at HKT 19:48
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