Two restaurants under Paramount Catering Group convicted for emitting excessive cooking fumes again
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The EPD received complaints against the two restaurants for emitting excessive cooking fumes between June and August 2016. Upon investigation, the department found that the restaurants failed to properly maintain their air pollution control equipment and emitted excessive cooking fumes. The EPD then issued statutory notices under the APCO to the restaurants requiring them to properly maintain their equipment to reduce cooking fumes emission. As the restaurants continued to emit excessive cooking fumes after the specified dates, the EPD subsequently prosecuted the restaurants. The department is still following up with the two restaurants to urge them to meet the statutory requirements to avoid being prosecuted.
An EPD spokesman reminded members of the food business that they should properly design and install appropriate and effective air pollution control equipment in the kitchens of food premises. They should also arrange for experienced technicians to clean, check and repair the equipment regularly to ensure their proper operation, so as to avoid causing air pollution nuisance to the public.
According to the APCO, restaurant operators should adopt effective measures within a specified time limit upon receipt of a statutory notice. 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/Monday, February 12, 2018
Issued at HKT 17:41
Issued at HKT 17:41
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