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The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (October 26) warned all fresh provision shop and market stall operators not to sell chilled meat as fresh meat, or they would risk having their licences/tenancy agreements cancelled or terminated.
The warning followed a department blitz operation in Sheung Shui this morning, during which a fresh provision shop at Stall No. 1, podium level, Choi Yuen Commercial Complex, Choi Yuen Estate, was found selling chilled pork as fresh pork. Forty-three kilogrammes of chilled pork were seized.
"We will cancel the licence of the meat shop as the operator has breached the licensing condition which prohibits the sale of chilled meat as fresh meat," a department spokesman said.
During the operation, the shop, with a licence permitting only the sale of frozen meat, was found selling chilled pork. The operator has breached the Food Business Regulation and the department said it would take follow-up action.
The spokesman warned all meat retailers to observe the regulation, adding that offenders, upon conviction, were liable to a maximum fine of $50,000 and six months' imprisonment.
He said the department would continue to closely monitor the sale of meat at retail level and take stringent enforcement actions to safeguard food safety and public health.
"Anyone who has doubts about meat being sold at retail outlets should call the department's hotline at 2868 0000," he said.
Ends/Thursday, October 26, 2006
Issued at HKT 17:48
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