FEHD continues to combat illegal sale of food by unlicensed hawkers
A spokesman for the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) said today (July 29) that in view of the public health risks posed by illegal hawking of food from unknown sources, expired food, restricted food, or improperly stored food, the FEHD has been conducting an intelligence-led operation codenamed "Dawn Net" across the territory since July 17 to crack down on unlicensed hawkers selling food from unknown sources, expired food, or high-risk food items.
As of yesterday (July 28), the FEHD had arrested 14 persons suspected of illegal hawking of food, and seized approximately 600 kilograms of cooked food, shellfish, lunch boxes, bread, fresh milk, beverages, and expired food. Among the arrested persons, 13 were additionally charged with causing obstruction in public places, and two were additionally charged with selling restricted food without permission.
The FEHD calls on members of the public not to patronise unlicensed hawkers, as the food comes from unknown sources and may even be scavenged from rubbish bins, posing severe food safety risks. The department has sent letters to remind major retail chains to properly dispose of discarded food, such as removing packaging and adding dye or disinfectant, and to strengthen staff training. The FEHD will also proactively provide health education to the trade.
The FEHD has long adopted a reasonable and compassionate approach to handling unlicensed hawkers, exercising discretion towards elderly or disabled hawkers. However, the department stressed that if the sale of food from unknown sources, expired food, prohibited or restricted high-risk food is involved, the department will adopt a "zero-tolerance" approach against the unlicensed hawkers, including immediate arrests without prior warning.
The FEHD has been collecting intelligence through different channels to combat related illegal activities. During this operation, the department obtained further information indicating that members of the public had attempted to scavenge uncooked sashimi from a rubbish bin near a food factory. The FEHD immediately took proactive preventive measures by swiftly inspecting the relevant locations, identifying potential sites where food might be discarded, and intercepting high-risk food from entering the market. The FEHD warns that any person who scavenges discarded food for illegal sale shall commit an offence, and stringent enforcement actions will be taken by the department.
According to the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance (Cap. 132), no person shall hawk in any street unless he or she holds a valid hawker licence issued by the FEHD. Offenders are liable to a maximum penalty of a fine of $5,000 and one month's imprisonment for a first conviction, and a fine of $10,000 and six months' imprisonment for a subsequent conviction. If unlicensed hawking activities also cause obstruction to passageways, law enforcement officers may institute additional prosecutions against offenders who cause obstruction by placing articles in public places under the Summary Offences Ordinance (Cap. 228), which carries a maximum fine of $25,000 or three months' imprisonment. In addition, any person who sells restricted food (including frozen meat, sashimi, and sushi) without permission commits an offence and is liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $50,000 and six months' imprisonment.
The FEHD reiterated that targeted enforcement operations will continue. Members of the public should report any suspicious hawking activities immediately.
A spokesman for the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) said today (July 29) that in view of the public health risks posed by illegal hawking of food from unknown sources, expired food, restricted food, or improperly stored food, the FEHD has been conducting an intelligence-led operation codenamed "Dawn Net" across the territory since July 17 to crack down on unlicensed hawkers selling food from unknown sources, expired food, or high-risk food items. Photo shows the food seized by FEHD officers during the operation. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
A spokesman for the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) said today (July 29) that in view of the public health risks posed by illegal hawking of food from unknown sources, expired food, restricted food, or improperly stored food, the FEHD has been conducting an intelligence-led operation codenamed "Dawn Net" across the territory since July 17 to crack down on unlicensed hawkers selling food from unknown sources, expired food, or high-risk food items. Photo shows the food and hawking equipment seized by FEHD officers during the operation. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
FEHD releases sixth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in July
The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (July 30) released the sixth batch of gravidtrap indexes and density indexes for Aedes albopictus in July, covering 15 survey areas, as follows:
| District | Survey Area | July 2026 |
| First Phase Gravidtrap Index | First Phase Density Index |
| Southern | Deep Water Bay and Repulse Bay | 3.4% | 1.0 |
| Islands | Tung Chung | 0.0% | N/A |
| Kowloon City | Ho Man Tin | 9.1% | 1.2 |
| Sham Shui Po | Cheung Sha Wan | 30.9% | 1.9 |
| Lai Chi Kok | 9.3% | 1.4 |
| Sai Kung | Tseung Kwan O East | 7.5% | 1.5 |
| Tseung Kwan O West | 9.1% | 1.2 |
| District | Survey Area | July 2026 |
| Area Gravidtrap Index | Area Density Index |
| Eastern | Chai Wan | 16.3% | 1.0 |
| Kowloon City | Hung Hom and To Kwa Wan | 18.1% | 1.1 |
| Kowloon Tong | 9.1% | 1.2 |
| North | Fanling North | 0.0% | N/A |
| Sha Tin | Sha Tin East | 5.0% | 1.0 |
| Tsuen Wan | Sheung Kwai Chung | 4.5% | 1.4 |
| Tsuen Wan West | 8.5% | 1.2 |
| Yuen Long | Yuen Long Town | 13.2% | 1.5 |
The FEHD continues to carry out a series of measures, including:
- interdepartmental collaboration: convening special meetings of the interdepartmental task forces on anti-mosquito work to co-ordinate relevant departments and stakeholders (such as construction site contractors, schools and property management companies) in strengthening mosquito control work at venues;
- precise risk assessments: carrying out intensive and targeted mosquito control work at locations with more serious mosquito infestations, including stepping up inspections, eliminating mosquito breeding and potential breeding grounds, applying larvicides, conducting fogging operations to eradicate adult mosquitoes, and placing mosquito trapping devices at appropriate locations;
- promotion and education: organising exhibitions with relevant departments and stakeholders, and distributing leaflets and posters to enhance public awareness of mosquito control and prevention; and
- rapid alert mechanism: notifying residential estates that have subscribed to the gravidtrap Rapid Alert System, and advising property management companies and residents to stay vigilant and work together in taking mosquito prevention and elimination measures.
During the follow-up actions and following the discovery of stagnant water or stagnant water containers at one park, three public housing estates and three private housing estates in Sham Shui Po District, the FEHD has issued a total of eight statutory notices to the responsible persons-in-charge, requiring the clearance of such items within a specified timeframe.
Public participation is crucial to the effective control of mosquito problems. The FEHD appeals to members of the public to continue to work together in strengthening personal mosquito control measures, including:
- tidy up their premises and check for any accumulation of water inside the premises;
- remove all unnecessary water collections and eliminate the sources;
- check household items (those placed in outdoor and open areas in particular), such as refuse containers, vases, air conditioner drip trays, and laundry racks to prevent stagnant water;
- change water in flower vases and scrub their inner surfaces thoroughly, and remove water in saucers under potted plants at least once a week;
- properly cover all containers that hold water to prevent mosquitoes from accessing the water;
- properly dispose of articles that can contain water, such as disposable meal boxes and empty cans; and
- scrub drains and surface sewers with alkaline detergent at least once a week to remove any mosquito eggs.
Starting in August 2025, following the completion of the surveillance of individual survey areas, and once the latest gravidtrap index and the density index are available, the FEHD has been disseminating relevant information through press releases, its website and social media. It aims to allow members of the public to quickly grasp the mosquito infestation situation and strengthen mosquito control efforts, thereby reducing the risk of chikungunya fever (CF) transmission.
Following recommendations from the World Health Organization and taking into account the local situation in Hong Kong, the FEHD sets up gravidtraps in districts where mosquito-borne diseases have been recorded in the past, as well as in densely populated places such as housing estates, hospitals and schools to monitor the breeding and distribution of Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, which can transmit CF and dengue fever. At present, the FEHD has set up gravidtraps in 62 survey areas of the community, with a surveillance period of two weeks. During the surveillance period, the FEHD will collect the gravidtraps once a week. After the first week of surveillance, the FEHD will immediately examine the glue boards inside the retrieved gravidtraps for the presence of adult Aedine mosquitoes to compile the Gravidtrap Index (First Phase) and Density Index (First Phase). At the end of the second week of surveillance, the FEHD will instantly check the glue boards for the presence of adult Aedine mosquitoes. Data from the two weeks of surveillance will be combined to obtain the Area Gravidtrap Index and the Area Density Index. The Gravidtrap and Density indexes for Aedes albopictus in different survey areas, as well as information on mosquito prevention and control measures, are available on the department's webpage (www.fehd.gov.hk/english/pestcontrol/dengue_fever/Dengue_Fever_Gravidtrap_Index_Update.html#).
FEHD releases sixth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in July Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
FEHD releases sixth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in July Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
FEHD releases sixth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in July Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
FEHD releases sixth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in July Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
