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Tsuen Wan seafood restaurant convicted for emission of excessive cooking fumes causing nuisance
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     A seafood restaurant, Holly Restaurant, at Lo Tak Court in Tsuen Wan failed to abide by the statutory notice issued by the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) to control its cooking emissions, causing environmental nuisance to nearly residents. It was fined $6,000 by Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (December 5) for contravening the Air Pollution Control Ordinance (APCO).

     During the investigation of a complaint this March against the cooking emissions of a restaurant, EPD enforcement officers found that the restaurant did not properly maintain its air pollution control equipment and emitted excessive cooking fumes and odour, and thus adversely affected the nearby pedestrians and residents. The EPD then issued a statutory notice to the restaurant in accordance with the APCO, requesting it to take measures to abate the cooking fumes and odour nuisance. Upon inspection after the deadline as stipulated in the statutory notice, the department found that the restaurant failed to adopt improvement measures and thus violated the requirement of the notice. The EPD then initiated prosecution against the restaurant operator.

     During recent inspections, EPD staff found that the restaurant had taken remedial measures and no excessive cooking fumes or odour was emitted.

     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 the exhaust systems and cooking fume control equipment. Upon receipt of a statutory notice issued by the EPD, 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:
www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/air/guide_ref/pamphlet_oilfume.html.
 
Ends/Tuesday, December 5, 2017
Issued at HKT 12:45
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