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FEHD cracks down on illegal sale of food by unlicensed hawkers (with photos)
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     A spokesman for the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) said today (July 21) that in hot and humid weather, food is susceptible to spoilage and the growth of harmful bacteria. In view of the public health risks posed by illegal hawking of food from unknown sources, expired food, restricted food, or improperly stored food, the FEHD has been conducting an intelligence-led operation codenamed "Dawn Net" across the territory since July 17. The operation aims to take targeted enforcement actions at high-risk locations to resolutely combat the illegal sale of high-risk food items and food from unknown sources, so as to safeguard food safety.

     As of yesterday (July 20), the FEHD had arrested six persons suspected of illegal hawking and causing obstruction in public places, and seized a total of about 260 kilograms of food items, including cooked food, lunch boxes, bread, beverages, and expired food. The operation will continue in order to safeguard public hygiene.

     The FEHD has long adopted a reasonable and compassionate approach to handling unlicensed hawkers, exercising discretion towards elderly or disabled hawkers. However, to safeguard food safety and public health, if the sale of cooked food, food from unknown sources, expired food, prohibited or restricted high-risk food is involved, the department will adopt a "zero-tolerance" approach, including immediate arrests without prior warning.

     According to the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance (Cap. 132), no person shall hawk in any street unless he or she holds a valid hawker licence issued by the FEHD. Offenders are liable to a maximum penalty of a fine of $5,000 and one month's imprisonment for a first conviction, and a fine of $10,000 and six months' imprisonment for a subsequent conviction. If unlicensed hawking activities also cause obstruction to passageways, law enforcement officers may institute additional prosecutions against offenders who cause obstruction by placing articles in public places under the Summary Offences Ordinance (Cap. 228), which carries a maximum fine of $25,000 or three months' imprisonment. In addition, any person who sells restricted food (including frozen meat, sashimi, and sushi) without permission commits an offence and is liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $50,000 and six months' imprisonment.

     The FEHD reaffirms its commitment to continue stepping up enforcement against unlicensed hawking activities, particularly illegal acts involving the sale of food . The department calls on members of the public not to patronise unlicensed hawkers and to report any suspicious activities immediately, so as to jointly safeguard food safety and environmental hygiene.
 
Ends/Tuesday, July 21, 2026
Issued at HKT 22:30
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A spokesman for the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) said today (July 21) that in hot and humid weather, food is susceptible to spoilage and the growth of harmful bacteria. In view of the public health risks posed by illegal hawking of food from unknown sources, expired food, restricted food, or improperly stored food, the FEHD has been conducting an intelligence-led operation codenamed “Dawn Net” across the territory since July 17. Photo shows FEHD staff found illegal sale of food by unlicensed hawkers during the operation.
A spokesman for the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) said today (July 21) that in hot and humid weather, food is susceptible to spoilage and the growth of harmful bacteria. In view of the public health risks posed by illegal hawking of food from unknown sources, expired food, restricted food, or improperly stored food, the FEHD has been conducting an intelligence-led operation codenamed “Dawn Net” across the territory since July 17. Photo shows the food and beverages seized by FEHD staff during the operation.
A spokesman for the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) said today (July 21) that in hot and humid weather, food is susceptible to spoilage and the growth of harmful bacteria. In view of the public health risks posed by illegal hawking of food from unknown sources, expired food, restricted food, or improperly stored food, the FEHD has been conducting an intelligence-led operation codenamed “Dawn Net” across the territory since July 17. Photo shows the food and hawking equipment seized by FEHD staff during the operation.