FEHD strives to crack down on sale of chilled or frozen meat disguised as fresh meat (with photo)
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During the operation, FEHD officers raided two licensed FPSs in Kweilin Street and Tai Nan Street, and marked and sealed around 720 kilograms of suspected chilled meat for further investigation. Samples were also collected for testing for preservatives and prosecution will be initiated if there is sufficient evidence. The licensees of the two shops are suspected of breaching the licensing condition for the display and sale of chilled meat as fresh meat, and the FEHD is proceeding with the cancellation of the FPSs' licences.
In addition, FEHD officers also initiated a total of two prosecutions against the operators of the two FPSs for dirty food rooms. Verbal warnings were also given to the operators of the two shops for non-compliance with the relevant licensing condition for failing to provide delivery notes for inspection.
A spokesman for the FEHD said, "Selling of chilled or frozen meat disguised as fresh meat breaches the licensing condition and causes food safety problems. Also, the operation of these profiteers is unfair to other shops that comply with the requirements."
The spokesman added, "Anyone selling chilled or frozen meat without permission commits an offence and is liable to a maximum fine of $50,000 and six months' imprisonment on conviction. The department will continue to conduct regular inspections at licensed FPSs and market meat stalls, and will actively handle the complaints received. In detecting any irregularities, the FEHD will carry out immediate investigation and take appropriate enforcement action. In addition, the FEHD also proactively investigates suspected violations from time to time and conducts surprise inspections and enforcement action as necessary. If there is sufficient evidence, prosecutions will be initiated and follow-up action will be taken on the breach of licensing conditions or tenancy agreements. The licences of fresh provision shops breaching the licensing conditions may be cancelled, while the tenancies of market meat stalls breaching the tenancy agreements may be terminated."
The spokesman stressed that the FEHD is very concerned and has been committed to combating the sale of chilled or frozen meat disguised as fresh meat by taking stringent enforcement action against the violations.
Ends/Friday, July 8, 2022
Issued at HKT 20:27
Issued at HKT 20:27
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