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Japanese barbecue restaurant in Jordan convicted for causing nuisance by generating strong odour emissions
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     A Japanese barbecue restaurant at Chuang's London Plaza in Jordan failed to comply with a statutory notice to minimise strong cooking odour, thus causing environmental nuisance to nearby residents. The restaurant was fined $8,000 by Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts today (November 23) for contravening the Air Pollution Control Ordinance (APCO).
 
     During the investigation of a complaint in December last year against the cooking fume emissions by a restaurant, Environmental Protection Department (EPD) enforcement officers found that the exhaust outlets of the restaurant were facing the narrow back alley between two buildings and the cooking odour could hardly be dispersed, thereby affecting residents 3 metres away. The EPD then issued a statutory notice to the restaurant in accordance with the APCO on December 29, requesting it to take measures to abate the odour nuisance by April 8 this year. As the restaurant continued to generate strong odour emissions after the specified date, the EPD subsequently prosecuted the restaurant operator.
 
     An EPD spokesman reminded food business operators that they should install and use proper equipment to control the emission of oily fumes and cooking odours in accordance with the EPD's guidelines. They should also ensure regular maintenance and proper operation of their exhaust systems and cooking fume control equipment to avoid causing nuisance to nearby residents. Upon receipt of a statutory notice, food business operators must comply with the notice requirements to carry out relevant improvement works within the specified time.
 
     According to the APCO, anyone who fails to comply with the statutory notice requirements commits an offence. First-time offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $100,000. A maximum fine of $200,000 and six months' imprisonment may be imposed on second or subsequent convictions.
 
     Guidelines on the control of oily fumes and cooking odours from restaurants and food business have been uploaded to the EPD's website for reference by restaurant operators:
www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/air/guide_ref/pamphlet_oilfume.html.
 
Ends/Thursday, November 23, 2017
Issued at HKT 18:15
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