The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) has all along been committed to combating the sale of chilled or frozen meat disguised as fresh meat, and raided a licensed fresh provision shop (FPS) in Sham Shui Po District suspected of selling chilled meat as fresh meat today (December 16).

     During the operation, FEHD officers raided a licensed FPS in Ki Lung Street, and marked and sealed over 110 kilograms of suspected chilled meat for further investigation. Sample was also taken for testing for preservatives and prosecution will be initiated if there is sufficient evidence. The licensee of the shop is 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 FPS's licence.

     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.

     "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 related licensing condition may be cancelled, while the tenancies of market meat stalls breaching the related tenancy agreement may be terminated."

     The spokesman stressed that the FEHD is very concerned about 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, December 16, 2022
Issued at HKT 18:25

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