The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) has all along been committed to combating the sale of chilled or frozen meat disguised as fresh meat, and has today (March 23) raided a licensed fresh provision shop (FPS) in Wong Tai Sin District suspected of selling frozen meat as fresh meat.
 
     During the operation, FEHD officers raided a licensed FPS at Chuk Yuen Market, Wong Tai Sin, and destroyed around 280 kilograms of suspected frozen beef found. Samples were also collected for testing for preservatives, and prosecution will be initiated if there is sufficient evidence. The licensee of the shop is suspected of breaching the licensing condition for the display and sale of frozen meat as fresh meat, and the FEHD is proceeding with the cancellation of the FPS's licence. 
 
     A verbal warning was also given to the licensee for non-compliance with the relevant licensing condition by failing to provide delivery invoices for inspection.
 
     A spokesman for the FEHD said, "The 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 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 an immediate investigation 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 actions against the violations.

Ends/Thursday, March 23, 2023
Issued at HKT 19:20

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