FEHD Cracks Down on Food Safety Violations at Fresh Provision Shops Amid Rodent Infestation Concerns

FEHD steps up enforcement actions against fresh provision shops with unsatisfactory hygiene conditions and serious rodent infestations

Regarding earlier incidents of which fresh provision shops (FPSs) flouted regulations, mishandled pig carcasses, and caused serious rodent infestations that threatened public health, a spokesman for the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) said today (March 10) that the department has been placing great importance to food safety and environmental hygiene, and has earlier conducted blitz operations across districts to clamp down on violating FPSs.

The FEHD has continued to carry out special operations across all districts between late February and early March, inspecting more than 200 licensed FPSs when pig carcasses were transported by meat delivery vehicles during early morning hours, and is 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 issued 47 verbal warnings/advisories and initiated 21 prosecutions against the FPSs concerned.

During special operations on March 4 in Yuen Long District, law enforcement officers discovered that a licensed FPS, named Kai Bo Food Supermarket, breached the licensing conditions for keeping pig carcases outside the premises. The FEHD is proceeding with the cancellation of the FPS's licence.

As well, the FEHD earlier issued an immediate closure order on January 24 under the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance requiring an FPS, located at G/F, 48-50 Lok Shan Road, Kowloon City District, to immediately cease operation and carry out a thorough cleaning towards preventing rodent infestation. It will only be allowed to reopen once the FEHD is satisfied with its hygiene condition. The FPS has repeatedly requested the lifting of the closure order, but as its rodent control measures have remained unsatisfactory. The requests were rejected by the FEHD, and the closure order remains in effect.

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 continue to step up late-night blitz operations across districts. If FPSs are found to be mishandling pig carcasses in ways that lead to rodent infestation, the FEHD will issue immediate closure orders or 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, and at no time be left or kept outside the premises pending further handling or sale; 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.

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD), Photo source: reference image

Over 2 900 quality job vacancies to be offered at New Horizons Job Fair

The Labour Department (LD) will hold the New Horizons Job Fair at MacPherson Stadium in Mong Kok on March 12 and 13, providing a large number of vacancies from the catering, retail and various other industries for job seekers.

Over 60 organisations will participate in the two-day job fair, offering over 2 900 quality job vacancies from various industries, among which nearly 2 300 are from the catering, retail, and transport sectors. Around 30 organisations will set up booths and conduct recruitment on the spot each day. A wide variety of positions will be offered at the job fair, including engineer, registered nurse, Chinese medicine clinic assistant, administrative clerk, accounts clerk, customer service assistant, programme executive, project coordinator, analyst programmer, computer drafting clerk, traffic officer, promoter, maintenance technician, packaging worker, server, cook, shop assistant, stock keeper, beauty consultant, and lifeguard. Job seekers can visit the LD's Interactive Employment Service website (www.jobs.gov.hk) for more details of the vacancies.

Around 71 per cent of the vacancies offered at the job fair are full-time jobs. Most vacancies offer monthly salaries ranging from $12,000 to $25,000. About 97 per cent of the vacancies require a Secondary Seven education level or below. Around 55 per cent are open to job seekers without relevant work experience.

Job seekers can submit job applications during the event and may be selected for on-the-spot interviews. They can also make enquiries about the employment services provided by the LD at its counter inside the venue.

The job fair will be held from 11am to 5.30pm at 1/F, MacPherson Stadium, 38 Nelson Street, Mong Kok (near Mong Kok MTR Station Exit E2). Admission is free, with final admission time at 5pm each day.

Tthe New Horizons Job Fair, Photo source: youth.gov.hk