FEHD strives to crack down on sale of chilled or frozen meat disguised as fresh meat
The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) has long been committed to combating the sale of chilled or frozen meat disguised as fresh meat. The FEHD today (November 5) conducted a raid on a licensed fresh provision shop (FPS) in Yuen Long District, suspecting it of such malpractices.
During the raid at Tin Shing Market in Tin Shui Wai, FEHD officers marked and sealed about 121 kilograms of suspected frozen beef and about 167kg of prepackaged frozen beef for further investigation. A beef sample was also collected for detection of preservatives. Prosecution will follow if sufficient evidence is found. 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.
Moreover, FEHD officers issued a verbal warning to the FPS operator for failing to provide delivery notes for inspection, which is a licensing condition.
A spokesman for the FEHD said, "The selling of chilled or frozen meat disguised as fresh meat breaches the licensing conditions and poses food safety risks. Such operations are unfair to other compliant businesses."
The spokesman added, "Anyone selling chilled or frozen meat without permission commits an offence and is liable to a maximum fine of $50,000 and six months' imprisonment if convicted. The FEHD will continue regular inspections at licensed FPSs and market meat stalls, and handle complaints actively. In detecting any irregularities, the department will carry out investigations promptly and take appropriate enforcement action. In addition, the FEHD also proactively investigates suspected violations from time to time, and conducts surprise inspections and enforcement actions as necessary. Prosecutions will be initiated and follow-up actions will be taken against breaches of licensing conditions or tenancy agreements if sufficient evidence is found. The licences of those FPSs breaching the licensing conditions may be cancelled, while the tenancies of market meat stalls breaching tenancy agreements may be terminated."
The spokesman emphasised the FEHD's deep concern and strong commitment to combating the sale of chilled or frozen meat disguised as fresh meat through stringent enforcement actions.
FEHD strives to crack down on sale of chilled or frozen meat disguised as fresh meat Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
LegCo Panel on Environmental Affairs visits Hong Kong Observatory
The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:
The Legislative Council (LegCo) Panel on Environmental Affairs visited the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) today (November 5) to understand the latest development of HKO’s work on monitoring and forecasting weather, as well as providing meteorological services.
Members first received a briefing on the operations of HKO from the Director of HKO, Dr Chan Pak-wai, and visited the Central Forecasting Office which is responsible for round-the-clock dissemination of weather information and various forecasts/warnings on inclement weather to the public. Members exchanged views with the Director of HKO and the Commissioner for Climate Change, Mr Wong Chuen-fai, on various matters including accuracy of weather forecasts, measures to cope with extreme weather conditions, as well as expansion of meteorological services and facilities.
Members then visited the Radiation Monitoring and Assessment Centre. The Centre monitors ambient radiation levels in Hong Kong, and organises training and exercises for other government departments on the contingency plan for nuclear emergencies. Members also went to the Earthquake Monitoring cum Tsunami Warning Centre and gained a better understanding of how the Centre collects and analyses real-time data from local and global seismological stations network, as well as warning messages issued by regional tsunami warning centres for dissemination of related information to the public.
Members also toured HKO's TV Studio to understand the procedures of and challenges encountered in TV weather programmes production and weather briefings under inclement weather conditions. During the visit to HKO’s History Room, Members observed various types of old observation instruments and records of typhoon hazard, advancement of meteorological technologies and the spirit of innovation of HKO's staff.
Members who participated in the visit were the Chairman of Panel on Environmental Affairs, Mr Lau Kwok-fan; the Deputy Chairman of the Panel, Mr Chan Siu-hung; Panel members Dr Lo Wai-kwok and Mr Robert Lee; as well as non-Panel members Mr Chan Chun-ying and Mr Yim Kong.
LegCo Panel on Environmental Affairs visits Hong Kong Observatory Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
LegCo Panel on Environmental Affairs visits Hong Kong Observatory Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
LegCo Panel on Environmental Affairs visits Hong Kong Observatory Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
