FEHD raids unlicensed cold store in Yuen Long

Officers of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) arrested a man for contravening the Food Business Regulation during a raid on an unlicensed cold store at Ki Lun Tsuen in Yuen Long in the small hours of today (August 15).

Following a detailed investigation into a complaint, FEHD officers laid an ambush outside a suspected meat distribution centre in Yuen Long last night.

Officers gained entry into the premises shortly after midnight and found unlicensed cold store activity in operation.

During the raid, about 1 600 kilograms (kg) of chilled / frozen poultry with official health certificates were found on the premises while about 430 kg of poultry offal without official health certificate were disposed of.

A 34-year-old man was arrested and subsequently charged for operating an unlicensed cold store.

Under the Food Business Regulation, the maximum penalty for operating an unlicensed cold store is a fine of $50,000 and six months' imprisonment.

"We will continue to take stringent enforcement action against unlicensed food businesses to ensure food safety and safeguard public health," an FEHD spokesman said.

"People should report such illegal activities by calling the FEHD hotline 2868 0000."

Ends/Friday, August 15, 2014
Issued at HKT 18:33