The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) in Hong Kong is committed to combating the sale of chilled or frozen meat disguised as fresh meat.
It recently raided a licensed fresh provision shop (FPS) in Sha Tin District suspected of selling frozen meat as fresh meat. During the operation, FEHD officers raided a licensed FPS in Sha Kok Market, and identified over 347kg of suspected fresh meat and frozen meat for further investigation.
A beef sample was collected for testing for preservatives, and prosecution will be made if sufficient evidence is collected. The licensee of the FPS is suspected of breaching the licensing condition for the display and sale of frozen meat as fresh meat, and the FEHD is proceeding with the cancellation of the FPS’s licence.
FEHD will also prosecute the FPS operator for uncleanliness of equipment, and issue warning for pest infestation found at its premises.
An FEHD spokesman said, “Selling of chilled or frozen meat disguised as fresh meat breaches the licensing condition and causes food safety problems. Also, the operation of these profiteers is unfair to other shops that comply with the requirements.”
Anyone selling chilled meat or frozen meat without permission commits an offence and is liable to a maximum fine of HK$50,000 (US$6,400) and 6 months’ imprisonment on conviction. The department will continue to conduct regular inspections at licensed FPSs and market meat stalls, and will actively handle the complaints received.
