CFS finds suspected forged health certificates
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There are about 990 kilograms of Japanese raw oysters involved in the six suspected forged health certificates and have been distributed to food premises. The CFS has collected a sample from a food premises concerned for testing. The testing result is pending. The food premises has discarded the remaining raw oysters. Investigation is on-going.
The CFS staff visited the importer concerned to conduct investigation and contacted the person in charge for ascertaining the occurrence of the incident. Furthermore, about 300 kg of raw oysters were marked and sealed at the premises. Investigation is still ongoing. Should there be sufficient evidence, prosecution will be instituted.
For the sake of prudence, CFS has immediately suspended import of raw oysters from the Japanese shipper Nicchu Bussan Goudougaisha to Hong Kong today. CFS has also instructed the importer and food premises concerned to stop supplying and selling the affected raw oysters immediately. The series numbers of the health certificates of the six affected consignments of raw oysters are as follow:
- HC20230113001 with The Yokohama Chamber of Commerce & Industry Number 171937
- HC20230106001
- HC20230110001 with The Yokohama Chamber of Commerce & Industry number 171797
- HC20230113001 with The Yokohama Chamber of Commerce & Industry Number 169548
- HC20230117001 with The Yokohama Chamber of Commerce & Industry Number 169548
- HC20230106001 with The Yokohama Chamber of Commerce & Industry Number 169548
Trade members who had purchased the affected consignments can call the hotline of the importer concerned at 2811 8268 during office hours for enquiries.
Meanwhile, the CFS has stepped up inspection of all health certificates of the raw oysters imported by the importer concerned. Preliminary investigation did not identify problems with health certificates of raw oysters imported from other overseas areas.
The spokesman pointed out that although preliminary investigation indicated that this incident of suspected forged health certificates is considered as an isolated incident, CFS would communicate with the Consulate General of the relevant country closely and request the authorities of the relevant country to continue in depth investigation of the incident and provide prompt investigation results for prevention of future recurrence. CFS will keep close collaboration with the authorities of the relevant country and the Hong Kong Police Force to follow up the matters and carry out appropriate actions.
Ends/Thursday, February 2, 2023
Issued at HKT 22:16
Issued at HKT 22:16
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