FEHD raids fresh provision shop for selling chilled meat as fresh meat

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) raided a fresh provision shop (FPS) in Queen's Road West, Western, this morning (November 26) as it was suspected that chilled meat was sold as fresh meat.

During the operation, FEHD officers marked and sealed about 250 kilogrammes of suspected chilled and frozen pork in the shop for further investigation. Two samples of pork were also collected for analysis for preservatives. The licensee was invited to assist in investigations for suspected violation of the Food Business Regulation. Prosecution will be taken out if sufficient evidence is collected.

A department spokesman said, "Anyone selling chilled meat without permission commits an offence and is liable to a maximum fine of $50,000 and six months' imprisonment on conviction. The department will continue to closely monitor the sale of fresh meat at retail level and take stringent enforcement action to safeguard food safety and public health. Separately, the sale of chilled meat as fresh meat is a breach of licensing condition and the department will consider and follow up cancellation of the FPS licence if sufficient evidence is collected."
 
Ends/Thursday, November 26, 2020