Customers are allowed to bring dogs into the first batch of more than 940 permitted food premises starting today (July 9). Members of the public can visit the dedicated webpage of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) (www.fehd.gov.hk/english/licensing/dog_restaurants/index.html) to look up the list of permitted food premises. These food premises must display the "Food Premises Permitted for Dog Entry" signage designated by the FEHD (see annex), at a conspicuous place at the main entrance at all times for identification.
      
     The Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, visited a permitted food premises in the West Kowloon Cultural District this afternoon to observe the implementation of the new measure on the first day, and to exchange views with restaurant operators and customers. Mr Tse said, "The restaurant has made thorough preparations in terms of hygiene facilities and seating arrangements, and we can see customers bringing dogs were co-operative. Everyone was beaming, feeling that this is a remarkable breakthrough." He expects that permitted food premises can demonstrate professionalism and self-discipline to strictly abide by the laws and licensing conditions. As for customers bringing dogs, they are expected to properly control their dogs while enjoying meals and to respect other customers, so as to jointly maintain a comfortable and harmonious dining environment.

     The Permanent Secretary for Environment and Ecology (Food), Ms Irene Young; the Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene, Mr Albert Yuen; and the Chairman and the Deputy Chairman of the Panel on Food Safety and Environmental Hygiene of the Legislative Council, Ms Chan Hoi-yan and Mr Yang Wing-kit, also joined the visit.

     A spokesman for the FEHD said, "The new measure offers a quota of 1 000 restaurants in the first phase, and the vetting and approval process has been smooth. As some successful balloting applicants did not complete the procedures to amend their licences, the FEHD is allocating the remaining quotas to waitlisted applicants in the order determined by the earlier ballot results. Information on the newly added food premises will be progressively uploaded to the dedicated webpage after completion of the procedures."

     ​To assist operators of food premises in adapting to the new measure as early as possible, the FEHD has deployed a dedicated team of 90 members to visit each of the permitted food premises, providing the persons-in-charge with detailed explanations on the statutory requirements, licensing conditions and other compliance arrangements. The coming month will serve as an adaptation period for the new measure, during which the dedicated team will step up visits to the permitted food premises to observe the implementation and assist the industry in complying with the regulations. The FEHD has previously released the Guidelines on Good Practices and Behaviour, and the Code of Practice, covering points to note for restaurant operators, customers bringing dogs, and those without dogs, providing references and guidance to all parties.

Ends/Thursday, July 9, 2026
Issued at HKT 22:05

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