FEHD combats unsatisfactory hygiene conditions and serious rodent infestations in fresh provision shops
A spokesman for the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) said today (February 10) that, the department has been placing great importance to food safety and environmental hygiene. It will not tolerate fresh provision shops (FPSs) that flout regulations, mishandle pig carcasses, and cause serious rodent infestations that threaten public health. The FEHD will step up blitz operations across districts to clamp down on violating FPSs.
The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD). Photo source: HKSAR Government Press Release
The spokesman pointed out that, during recent late-night special operations along Lok Shan Road in To Kwa Wan and Kowloon City Road, the FEHD discovered that a FPS had poor hygiene condition and serious rodent infestation. To protect public health, the FEHD issued an immediate closure order on January 24 under the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance, requiring the shop to immediately cease operation, and carry out thorough cleansing and rodent control. The shop will only be allowed to reopen once the FEHD is satisfied with its hygiene condition. The shop requested the lifting of the closure order on February 6, but as its hygiene condition and rodent control measures remained unsatisfactory, the request was rejected by the FEHD, and the closure order remains in effect.
In addition, the FEHD has carried out special operations across all districts early this month, stepping up inspections of more than 250 licensed FPSs, and taking stringent enforcement actions against irregularities that increase the risk of rodent infestation, with a view to safeguarding food safety and public health. During the special operations, the FEHD staff initiated 47 prosecutions and issued 101 verbal warnings/advice against the FPSs concerned.
The spokesman said that the FEHD will continue to inspect FPSs regularly. To further combat the poor hygiene or serious rodent problems of shops, the department will step up late-night blitz operations across districts. If FPSs are found mishandling pig carcasses in ways that lead to rodent infestation, the FEHD will not hesitate to issue immediate closure orders and cancel their licences to protect public health.
Under the relevant regulation, every person engaged in any food business, including FPSs, shall not knowingly suffer or permit in any food premises, the presence of rats, mice or insects; and shall adopt appropriate measures to protect the food from risk of contamination or deterioration. Operators must at all times keep every part of food premises clean, properly maintained, and in good condition. Offenders are liable to prosecution and a maximum fine of $10,000 and imprisonment for three months. All meat delivered to licensed FPSs must be directly delivered into the licensed premises; otherwise, it constitutes a breach of licensing conditions and may result in immediate licence cancellation. Furthermore, if the condition of a premises poses an imminent health risk, the FEHD has the authority to issue closure orders and immediately close the premises.
FEHD combats unsatisfactory hygiene conditions and serious rodent infestations in fresh provision shops. Photo source: HKSAR Government Press Release
