In a blitz operation today (September 23), the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) raided licensed fresh provision shops (FPSs) at Kam Wa Street, Shau Kei Wan, suspected of selling chilled and frozen meat as fresh meat.
FEHD officers marked and sealed about 490 kilograms of suspected chilled and frozen pork at two licensed FPSs for further investigation. Four pork samples were collected for testing of preservatives. Prosecutions will be initiated if sufficient evidence is collected. During the operation, the FEHD also initiated prosecutions against the licensees of the two FPSs for suspected violations of the Food Business Regulation, including cleanliness of premises and use of open space for storage of equipment used in service of food, and issued verbal warnings to them for non-compliance with the relevant licensing condition.
A spokesman for the FEHD said, "Anyone selling chilled or frozen 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, if FPSs are found in breach of the licensing condition for the sale of chilled or frozen meat as fresh meat, the department will consider cancellation of their licences."
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