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The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (January 31) warned all fresh provision shop and market stall operators not to sell frozen meat as fresh meat, or they would risk having their licences/tenancy agreements cancelled or terminated.
The warning followed a blitz operation launched by the department in Kwun Tong this morning, during which a fresh provision shop on the ground floor, No. 121A, Hip Wo Street, was found selling frozen beef as fresh beef. One hundred and eighty kilogrammes of frozen meat were subsequently surrendered.
"We will cancel the licence of the meat shop as the operator has breached the licensing condition which prohibits the sale of frozen meat as fresh meat," a department spokesman said.
"It could also involve a breach of the Food Business Regulation as the shop, with a licence permitting only the sale of fresh meat and frozen mutton, was found selling frozen beef. The department is following up the matter with the operator," 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 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/Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Issued at HKT 18:35
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