FEHD strives to crack down on sale of chilled or frozen meat disguised as fresh meat (with photo)
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During the operation, FEHD officers raided the two licensed FPSs, and marked and sealed around 220 kilograms of suspected chilled pork for further investigation. Samples were taken for testing for preservatives and prosecution will be taken out if sufficient evidence is collected. The licensee of the FPSs is suspected of breaching the licensing condition for the display and sale of chilled meat as fresh meat, and the FEHD is proceeding with the cancellation of the FPSs' licences.
FEHD officers also initiated a total of four prosecutions against the licensee of the FPSs for dirtiness at the premises and dirtiness of equipment. In addition, verbal warnings were also given to the licensee of the two FPSs for non-compliance with the relevant licensing condition for failing to provide delivery notes for inspection.
An FEHD spokesman said, "Selling of chilled or frozen meat disguised as fresh meat breaches the licensing condition and causes food safety problems. Also, the operation of these profiteers is unfair to other shops that comply with the requirements."
The spokesman added, "Anyone selling chilled meat or frozen meat without permission commits an offence and is liable to a maximum fine of $50,000 and six months' imprisonment on conviction. The department will continue to conduct regular inspections at licensed FPSs and market meat stalls, and will actively handle the complaints received. In detecting any irregularities, the FEHD will carry out immediate investigations and take appropriate enforcement action. In addition, the FEHD also proactively investigates suspected violations from time to time and conducts surprise inspections and enforcement action as necessary. If there is sufficient evidence, prosecutions will be initiated and follow-up action will be taken on the breach of licensing conditions or tenancy agreements. The licences of FPSs breaching the licensing conditions may be cancelled, while the tenancies of market meat stalls breaching the tenancy agreements may be terminated."
The spokesman stressed that the FEHD is very concerned and has been committed to combating the sale of chilled or frozen meat disguised as fresh meat by taking stringent enforcement action against the violations.
Ends/Tuesday, December 20, 2022
Issued at HKT 22:18
Issued at HKT 22:18
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