​A spokesman for the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) said today (June 30) that the FEHD has all along been extremely concerned about the unauthorised sale of restricted food (including sashimi and oysters to be consumed in raw state). Apart from routine inspections, blitz operations will also be carried out from time to time to combat illegal activities.
The spokesman said, "From May this year till now, the FEHD has been stepping up inspections across the territory and has initiated 16 prosecutions against operators of premises contravening the laws (including market stalls, food factories, fresh provision shops and restaurants). The offences mainly involved selling of restricted food without permission and carrying on unlicensed food businesses."
As stipulated in the Food Business Regulation (Cap. 132X) (the Regulation), anyone selling restricted food (including sashimi and oysters to be consumed in raw state) listed in Annex 2 of the Regulation must obtain written permission granted by the FEHD. Under the Regulation, any person who operates a food business that requires a specific licence or sells restricted food without permission commits an offence, and is liable on conviction to a maximum fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for six months, and an additional daily fine of $900.
The spokesman reminds members of public to patronise reliable food premises and shops with licences or relevant permits when choosing to consume food such as sashimi or oysters in raw state. The FEHD will conduct regular inspections to ensure the licensing/permit conditions are observed by the licensees/permit holders or relevant operators, and the hygienic standards stipulated in the laws are met.
Follow this news feed: East Asia