FEHD Cracks Down on Illegal Hairy Crab Sales to Ensure Food Safety Compliance

FEHD takes enforcement action against sale of hairy crabs without permission

To safeguard food safety, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) has long been committed to combating the illegal sale of hairy crabs, with a view to ensuring that hairy crabs on sale in the market comply with relevant requirements under the laws. The FEHD officers conducted a blitz operation yesterday (December 11), inspected a licensed general restaurant at Fuk Lo Tsun Road in Kowloon City and prosecuted the operator for suspected contravention of the Food Business Regulation (Cap. 132X) (the Regulation) by selling restricted food (hairy crabs) without permission.

Under 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.

The FEHD reminds 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 by health certificates, they may make a report by calling the FEHD hotline at 2868 0000 or through email (enquiries@fehd.gov.hk).

Source: AI-found images

Labour Department completes territory-wide special enforcement operation

​A spokesperson for the Labour Department (LD) said today (December 12) that the LD completed a two-week special enforcement operation today, targeting building maintenance work sites with large-scale scaffolding erected. The LD will continue to focus on inspecting the improvement progress of construction sites with violations detected and work sites where scaffold nets have been removed from the external walls of buildings.

During the special enforcement operation starting from November 28, the LD inspected 467 construction sites, with 249 written warnings and 112 improvement notices issued as well as 25 prosecutions initiated, which mainly involved the prohibition of smoking at sites, as well as violations such as failure to maintain fire escapes and fire-fighting appliances in good condition, unsafe working at height, and failure to provide personal protective equipment.

The LD will continue to follow up on the improvement progress of the construction sites with violations. If unsafe working conditions persist, the LD will take actions in accordance with the law. The LD will also continue to inspect work sites where scaffold nets have been removed from external walls of buildings. If work on external walls is still being carried out on scaffolds, the LD will notify relevant departments to follow up. If imminent risks such as objects falling from scaffolds are detected, the LD will take enforcement actions immediately, including issuing suspension notices and taking out prosecutions, without issuing prior warning.

The LD reiterated that contractors must strictly implement all site safety measures to ensure the occupational safety and health of employees. Under the general duty provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance, employers are obligated to provide safe working environments, plant and systems of work for their employees. Those who contravene the relevant legislation with serious circumstances are liable to a maximum fine of $10 million and imprisonment for two years.

Source: AI-found images