​Why Noodle, a restaurant located at Ying Wa Terrace in Sai Ying Pun, did not comply with the requirements of a statutory notice issued by the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) and failed to reduce excessive cooking fume emissions. The restaurant today (November 26) was convicted and fined $10,000 by Eastern Magistrates' Courts for contravening the Air Pollution Control Ordinance (APCO).
During the investigation of a complaint against cooking fume emissions of a restaurant in October last year, the EPD found that the restaurant had failed to install proper cooking fume control equipment and was emitting excessive cooking fumes. The EPD then issued a statutory notice under the APCO requiring the restaurant to install proper equipment to reduce its emissions by the deadline. However, the restaurant failed to comply with this requirement by the specified date and continued to emit visible cooking fumes, and was thus prosecuted by the EPD. The department is continuing following up on the case to urge the restaurant to comply with the statutory requirements.
An EPD spokesman reminded food business operators that the responsible persons should properly design and install appropriate and effective air pollution control equipment in the kitchens of food premises. They should also arrange for experienced technicians to clean, check and repair the equipment regularly to ensure no visible fumes are emitted, so as to avoid causing air pollution and nuisance to nearby residents.
According to the APCO, restaurant operators should adopt effective remedial measures to abate excessive cooking fume emissions within a specified time limit upon receipt of a statutory notice. First-time offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $100,000. A maximum fine of $200,000 and six months' imprisonment may be imposed on second or subsequent convictions.
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