FEHD raids fresh provision shop suspected of selling chilled meat as fresh meat (with photo)

     In a blitz operation today (January 27), the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) raided a fresh provision shop (FPS) at Kwong Fai Circuit, Kwai Chung, suspected of selling of chilled meat as fresh meat.

     During the operation, FEHD officers marked and sealed about 250 kilograms of suspected chilled pork in the FPS for further investigation. The investigation against the licensee of the FPS for suspected violation of the Food Business Regulation is still ongoing. Prosecution will be taken out if sufficient evidence is collected. In addition, FEHD officers have issued a verbal warning to the FPS for non-compliance of the relevant licensing condition.

     A spokesman for the FEHD said, "Anyone selling chilled 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 closely monitor the sale of fresh meat at the retail level and take stringent enforcement action to safeguard food safety and public health. Moreover, the sale of chilled meat as fresh meat is a breach of licensing condition, and the department will consider cancellation of the relevant FPS's licence if sufficient evidence is collected."