Gov't boosts crackdown on frozen meat sales with operation "Pearl"

Sellers of frozen meat without permission will face fines of up to $50,000 and six months' imprisonment.

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) launched "Pearl," a pilot operation in the Eastern and Sha Tin districts to combat the sale of chilled or frozen meat marketed as fresh. The operation has been ongoing since late June.

The FEHD will cancel the licenses of Fresh Provision Shops (FPSs) found selling frozen meat or violating hygiene regulations.

In addition, sellers of frozen meat without permission will face fines of up to $50,000 and six months' imprisonment upon conviction.

On 9 August, the FEHD raided a licensed FPS in Sha Tin suspected of selling frozen meat as fresh, seizing around 91 kg of suspected frozen pork. The FPS' license will be canceled.

The department will continue regular inspections at licensed FPSs and market meat stalls, actively handle complaints, and address cases involving false declarations by license applicants in accordance with the law.