FEHD launches third phase of "Operation Skynet" to combat rodent infestation at food premises and step up inspections of waste disposal facilities at shopping malls
A spokesman for the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) said today (November 6) that in response to recent environmental hygiene and rodent infestation problems at several food premises and the shopping malls in which they are located, the department has launched the third phase of "Operation Skynet", a special inspection and enforcement operation. The operation focuses on combating irregularities of restaurants at shopping malls, and extends the scope of inspections to other high-risk areas in shopping malls as well as nearby food premises, with a view to improving and safeguarding environmental hygiene and food safety in the community.
The spokesman said, "The FEHD launched 'Operation Skynet' on September 30. During the first two phases, special inspections and enforcement actions were conducted targeting supermarkets, restaurants, other food premises and public markets, with a total of 196 prosecutions initiated, and 297 statutory Notices of Elimination of Vermin as well as 144 Notices of Requirement to Cleanse and Repair Food Premises issued."
During the third phase of "Operation Skynet", FEHD officers will focus inspections on restaurants at shopping malls, while expanding the scope to cover other high-risk areas in the malls and nearby food premises. A particular focus will be placed on inspecting the management of refuse collection, food waste handling, and related collection facilities. The department will request relevant persons-in-charge to optimise and expedite waste handling, implement rodent control measures, fill in rat holes, and eliminate harborage places. If any food premises are found violating the Food Business Regulation or showing signs of rodent infestation, the department will take stringent enforcement action in accordance with the law, including issuing statutory notices to the premises and shopping malls concerned, as well as initiating prosecutions. In severe cases meeting statutory conditions, the FEHD may issue a closure order against the food premises; if the non-compliance persists, the relevant licence may even be suspended or cancelled.
To further enhance the environmental hygiene standard of private properties in Hong Kong, the FEHD has stepped up collaboration with the Property Management Services Authority to widely disseminate messages on rodent prevention and control to the property management sector through the Authority. The department appeals to the sector to refer to the Best Practice Guide on "Rodent Control in Residential Properties" jointly formulated by the Authority and the FEHD, and to strictly execute the prevention and control measures.
The spokesman stressed that maintaining environmental hygiene in the community is everyone's responsibility. Food premises and property management agents of shopping malls must take up the responsibility for daily hygiene and rodent prevention and control within their premises and common areas. The FEHD will continue to follow up and review the effectiveness of rodent control work to ensure environmental hygiene in the community.
Source: AI-found images
