FEHD and Hong Kong Customs continue to inspect premises selling hairy crabs in various districts (with photos)
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A spokesman for the FEHD said today (December 2), "During the joint blitz inspections of selling points of hairy crabs, officers from the Centre for Food Safety (CFS) and the Environmental Hygiene Branch of the FEHD and Customs officers have inspected 50 premises selling hairy crabs. The source documents and health certificates of the hairy crabs were checked to ensure that the hairy crabs sold at the premises are in compliance with the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance (Cap. 132) as well as the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO) (Cap. 362) and are fit for human consumption. The FEHD and Customs officers also distributed promotional leaflets to the operators of the premises, reminding them to pay attention to food safety and comply with relevant requirements under the laws. During the operations, no contravention was found."
The CFS has maintained close liaison with Customs to strengthen joint enforcement actions at boundary control points, targeting suspected parallel traders carrying hairy crabs into Hong Kong for selling purpose. Over the past six weeks, the CFS received 16 suspected cases referred by Customs, intercepted over 1 900 hairy crabs. Upon referral, the CFS immediately started follow-up investigations into the source of the crabs, whether health certificates were provided, the intended use of the crabs brought into Hong Kong, and whether the persons involved were registered as importers under the Food Safety Ordinance (Cap. 612). Follow-up actions are ongoing.
At the retail level, the FEHD also conducted blitz inspections over the past three weeks. Prosecutions were initiated against two public market stalls for selling hairy crabs without permission. The FEHD also found six online platforms holding online sale of restricted food permits that failed to display permit details on their websites as required. Verbal warnings were issued, and subsequent re-inspections confirmed compliance. The FEHD will continue monitoring and take appropriate actions.
According to the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance (Cap. 132), all food available for sale in Hong Kong, locally produced or imported, should be fit for human consumption. An offender in this regard is subject to a maximum fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for six months upon conviction. Under the Food Safety Ordinance (Cap. 612), any person who, without reasonable excuse, fails to comply with the record-keeping requirement relating to movement of food commits an offence and is liable to a maximum fine of $10,000 and imprisonment for three months upon conviction.
Under the Food Business Regulation (Cap. 132X) (the Regulation), save with the written permission of the Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene (DFEH), no person shall sell any restricted foods, including shellfish. Operators selling hairy crabs shall obtain the Shell Fish (Hairy Crab) Permit or relevant written permission granted by the FEHD; or, if the shop already holds another relevant FEHD licence (such as a fresh provision shop licence) or operates a fish stall in a market managed by the FEHD, the operator must apply for written permission. Premises holding a permit or licence must, in accordance with the law, display the permit or licence prominently. If the operator sells only through online platforms, they must apply for an online sale of restricted food permit. The website or online platform account homepage selling hairy crabs must clearly display the permit information, such as the permit number, registered address, and the types of restricted foods approved for sale. The relevant regulatory condition also stipulates that hairy crabs for sale shall be obtained from a reliable and reputable source. A copy of the health certificate issued by the relevant authority and acceptable to the DFEH shall also be kept. Under the Regulation, any person who operates an unlicensed food business or sells restricted foods without permission commits an offence and is liable to a maximum fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for six months upon conviction.
Customs reminds traders not to apply a false trade description to goods or services, or to supply or offer to supply goods or services to which a false trade description is applied. Those who violate the TDO are liable on conviction to a maximum fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years. Customs also attaches great importance to the protection of consumer rights and will take appropriate enforcement action once activities in violation of the TDO are detected in the market.
The FEHD and Customs remind the trade not to import or put on sale hairy crabs or other food with an unknown origin, and consumers should make purchases at reputable shops with the Shell Fish (Hairy Crab) Permit or relevant written permission granted by the FEHD.
If members of the public suspect that there are operators selling hairy crabs without the relevant permits/permissions or the hairy crabs are not accompanied with health certificates, they may make a report by calling the FEHD hotline at 2868 0000 or through email (enquiries@fehd.gov.hk).
In addition, members of the public may make a report to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002/) for suspected violations of the TDO.
Ends/Tuesday, December 2, 2025
Issued at HKT 20:57
Issued at HKT 20:57
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