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.
FEHD continues to combat illegal sale of food by unlicensed hawkers Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
FEHD continues to combat illegal sale of food by unlicensed hawkers Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
