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The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (December 5) smashed an unlicensed food factory in Sha Tin and seized about 1000 kilogrammes of chilled/frozen pork.
Acting on information, FEHD officers raided an unlicensed food factory at shop no.37&38, Jubilee Garden Market, Sha Tin. A man believed to be the operator of the factory was arrested and is assisting investigation.
During the operation, it was also found that chilled pork at the food factory was chopped into pieces and sent to two fresh provision shops (FPSs) located at 3 Wah Chi Path, Wong Tai Sin and 14A Tong Shui Road, North Point.
Both FPSs were found selling these chilled pork as fresh pork. Forty-two kilogrammes and 14.6 kilogrammes of chilled pork were seized at the Wong Tai Sin shop and North Point shop respectively.
"We will consider cancelling the licences of the two fresh provision shops as the operators have breached the licensing condition that prohibits the sale of chilled meat as fresh meat," an FEHD spokesman said.
"The operators have also breached the Food Business Regulation as the shops, with licences permitting the sale of fresh pork, were found selling chilled pork as well," he added.
The spokesman warned all meat retailers to observe the Regulation, adding that offenders, upon conviction, were liable to a maximum fine of $50,000 and six months' imprisonment.
He said the department would continue to closely monitor the sale of meat at the retail level and take stringent enforcement actions to safeguard food safety and public health.
"Anyone who has doubts about meat being sold at retail outlets should call the department's hotline at 2868 0000," he said.
Ends/Tuesday, December 5, 2006
Issued at HKT 19:49
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