FEHD strives to crack down on sale of chilled or frozen meat disguised as fresh meat
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. To enhance enforcement efficiency, the FEHD has launched a pilot enforcement operation codenamed "Pearl" in the Eastern and Sha Tin districts since late June. Targeting suspected cases of selling chilled or frozen meat as fresh meat for sale, inspections to licensed Fresh Provision Shops (FPSs) were stepped up, and corresponding follow-up actions were taken against other violations found during the inspections. After conducting in-depth investigations and gathering intelligence, the FEHD raided a licensed FPS in Sha Tin District suspected of selling frozen meat as fresh meat in a blitz operation today (August 9).
During the operation, FEHD officers raided a licensed FPS at Saddle Ridge Garden Arcade in Ma On Shan, and seized and immediately destroyed around 91 kilograms of suspected frozen pork. The licensee of the FPS concerned 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.
FEHD officers also initiated prosecution against the operator for dirtiness of the premises, while warning letter was issued to the operator for non-compliance with relevant licensing condition by failing to provide delivery notes for inspection.
The FEHD will strictly enforce the current policies to prevent FPSs whose licences have been cancelled due to violations resuming business at the same location using different identities. During the pilot enforcement operation, the department uncovered a case of suspected false declaration in a licence application using the aforementioned method and has rejected the related application. The department will scrutinise the relevant applications and, if any are found to involve suspected false declarations or other criminal offences, will consider referring them to the relevant law enforcement departments for handling.
A spokesman for the FEHD said, "Selling of chilled meat or frozen meat disguised as fresh meat breaches the licensing condition and causes food safety problems. Also, this profiteering practice 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 complaints. In detecting any irregularities, the FEHD will carry out immediate investigations and take appropriate enforcement action. In addition, the FEHD also proactively investigates suspected cases from time to time and conducts surprise inspections and enforcement actions as necessary. If there is sufficient evidence, prosecutions will be initiated and follow-up action will be taken on any breach of licensing conditions or tenancy agreements. The licences of those FPSs breaching licensing conditions may be cancelled, while the tenancies of market meat stalls breaching 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. For licence applicants who intend to evade regulations by making false declarations, the FEHD must handle such cases in accordance with the law.
FEHD strives to crack down on sale of chilled or frozen meat disguised as fresh meat Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Update on cases of Legionnaires' disease
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (September 16) reported the latest number of cases of Legionnaires' disease (LD), and stressed the importance of using and maintaining properly designed man-made water systems, adding that susceptible groups should strictly observe relevant precautions.
From September 8 to 14, the CHP recorded three community-acquired LD cases:
A female patient, aged 60 with underlying illnesses, who lives in Tai Po District;
A male patient, aged 66 with underlying illnesses, who lives in Shatin District; and
A male patient, aged 68 with good past health, who lives in Yau Tsim Mong District.
"Epidemiological investigations are ongoing to identify potential sources of infection, high-risk exposure and clusters, if any," a spokesman for the CHP said.
As of September 14, 81 LD cases had been recorded this year. In 2023 and 2022, there were 121 and 80 cases respectively.
"Men, people aged over 50, smokers, alcoholics and persons with weakened immunity are more susceptible to LD. Some situations may also increase the risk of infection, including poor maintenance of water systems; living in areas with old water systems, cooling towers or fountains; using electric water heaters, whirlpools and spas or hot water spring spas; and recent stays in hotels or vessels," the spokesman said.
Legionellae are found in various environmental settings and grow well in warm water (20 to 45 degrees Celsius). They can be found in aqueous environments such as water tanks, hot and cold water systems, cooling towers, whirlpools and spas, water fountains and home apparatus that support breathing. People may become infected when they breathe in contaminated droplets (aerosols) and mist generated by artificial water systems, or when handling garden soil, compost and potting mixes.
Immunocompromised persons should:
Use sterile or boiled water for drinking, tooth brushing and mouth rinsing;
Avoid using humidifiers, or other mist- or aerosol-generating devices; and
If using humidifiers, or other mist- or aerosol-generating devices, fill the water tank with only sterile or cooled freshly boiled water, and not water directly from the tap. Also, clean and maintain humidifiers/devices regularly according to manufacturers' instructions. Never leave stagnant water in a humidifier/device. Empty the water tank, wipe all surfaces dry, and change the water daily.
The public should observe the health advice below:
Observe personal hygiene;
Do not smoke and avoid alcohol consumption;
Strainers in water taps and shower heads should be inspected, cleaned, descaled and disinfected regularly or at a frequency recommended by the manufacturer;
If a fresh-water plumbing system is properly maintained, it is not necessary to install domestic water filters. Use of water filters is not encouraged as clogging occurs easily, which can promote growth of micro-organisms. In case water filters are used, the pore size should be 0.2 micrometres (µm) and the filter needs to be changed periodically according to the manufacturer's recommendations;
Drain and clean water tanks of buildings at least quarterly;
Drain or purge for at least one minute infrequently used water outlets (e.g. water taps, shower heads and hot water outlets) and stagnant points of the pipework weekly or before use;
Seek and follow doctors' professional advice regarding the use and maintenance of home respiratory devices and use only sterile water (not distilled or tap water) to clean and fill the reservoir. Clean and maintain the device regularly according to the manufacturer's instructions. After cleaning/disinfection, rinse the device with sterile water, cooled freshly boiled water or water filtered with 0.2 µm filters. Never leave stagnant water in the device. Empty the water tank, keep all surfaces dry, and change the water daily; and
When handling garden soil, compost and potting mixes:
Wear gloves and a face mask;
Water gardens and compost gently using low pressure;
Open composted potting mixes slowly and make sure the opening is directed away from the face;
Wet the soil to reduce dust when potting plants; and
Avoid working in poorly ventilated places such as enclosed greenhouses.
The public may visit the CHP'sLD page, theCode of Practice for Prevention of LDand theHousekeeping Guidelines for Cold and Hot Water Systems for Building Managementof the Prevention of LD Committee, and the CHP'srisk-based strategyfor prevention and control of LD.
Source: AI-generated images
