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Thai barbeque restaurant "Grill" in Central convicted again for persistent emission of cooking fumes
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     "Grill", a Thai barbeque restaurant in D'Aguilar Street in Central, failed to comply with the statutory notice to install an effective electrostatic precipitator or other cooking fume control equipment to abate cooking fume emission. It was convicted again at Eastern Magistrates' Courts today (April 23) for contravening the Air Pollution Control Ordinance (APCO) and fined $6,000. The restaurant was first convicted on December 18 last year.

     After conducting an investigation upon receiving a public complaint in December 2016, the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) found that the Thai barbeque restaurant "Grill" did not install effective cooking fume control equipment and emitted excessive barbeque fumes during its operating hours, causing air pollution. The EPD then issued a statutory notice under the APCO, requiring the restaurant to install effective equipment to abate oily fume emission by the deadline. The restaurant failed to adopt effective remedial measures after the specified date on April 17, 2017, and the EPD subsequently initiated two prosecutions against the person-in-charge of the restaurant in November last year and March this year. The EPD continued to follow up on this case and found that the restaurant's emission level had improved during an inspection in April.

     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 to clean, check and repair the equipment regularly to ensure its proper operation.

     According to the APCO, restaurant operators should adopt effective remedial 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, April 23, 2018
Issued at HKT 15:35
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