A chain supermarket was fined $18,000 today (March 25) at West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts for supplying frozen fish with false trade descriptions applied, in contravention of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO).
Hong Kong Customs earlier received information alleging the sale of pre-packed frozen whole areolate grouper and two-spot red snapper suspected to be carrying false scientific names at a chain supermarket in Tsuen Wan.
Upon examination by the Government Laboratory, it was confirmed that the species of the frozen fish were different from the scientific names indicated on the packages.
Customs reminds traders to comply with the requirements of the TDO. Under the TDO, any person who supplies goods with a false trade description in the course of trade or business, or is in possession of any goods for sale with a false trade description, commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.
Members of the public may report any suspected violations of the TDO to Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).
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