French restaurant in Sai Ying Pun convicted for emitting excessive cooking fumes
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The EPD received a complaint against the restaurant in April last year for emitting excessive cooking fumes. Upon investigation, the department found that the restaurant had failed to install proper cooking fume and odour control equipment. The EPD then issued a statutory notice under the APCO requiring the restaurant to install proper equipment to reduce cooking fume emissions by the deadline. After the specified date, it was found that the restaurant had failed to comply with the requirement and cooking emissions could still be seen. The EPD subsequently prosecuted the restaurant for violating the statutory notice requirement.
An EPD spokesman reminded members of the food business that they 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 proper operation, so as to avoid causing air nuisance to the public.
According to the APCO, restaurant operators should adopt effective measures 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.
Guidelines on the control of oily fumes and cooking odours from restaurants and food business have been uploaded to the EPD's website for reference: www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/air/guide_ref/pamphlet_oilfume.html
Ends/Monday, March 12, 2018
Issued at HKT 16:20
Issued at HKT 16:20
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