Unlicensed food factory in Sha Tin smashed
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  The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) smashed an unlicensed food factory in Sha Tin during a blitz operation last night (March 9).

  FEHD officers raided a small house at Chek Nai Ping, Sha Tin, after finding illegal food businesses in operation.

  ^About 25 kilogrammes of raw and cooked meat and other food items together with some paraphernalia found in the premises were seized.

  ^A man was also arrested and charged with operating an unlicensed food factory, ̄ an FEHD spokesman said.

    ^Our surveillance revealed that the unlicensed food factory accepted food orders through a website www.there.com.hk, ̄ he added.
  
  He said stringent enforcement action would continue to be taken against unlicensed food business to safeguard food safety and public health.

  "Anyone with information on unlicensed food business should immediately call the department's hotline at 2868 0000," he said.

  According to the Food Business Regulation, the maximum penalty for operating an unlicensed food factory is a fine of $50,000 and six months' imprisonment, plus a daily fine of $900.

Ends/Friday, March 10, 2006
Issued at HKT 19:53

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