Hong Kong Customs arrested a male owner and a female manager of a restaurant on October 9 suspected of supplying food with a false trade description, in contravention of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO).
Customs earlier received information and conducted a test-buy operation at a restaurant in Tuen Mun on a dish of baked cheese grouper rice.
Examination by the Government Laboratory confirmed that the fish fillets of the food were catfish, different from what had been declared.
After investigation, Customs arrested a 60-year-old male owner and a 55-year-old female manager on October 9.
Investigation is ongoing.
Customs reminds traders to comply with the requirements of the TDO and consumers to procure products at reputable restaurants.
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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