Customs officers on Wednesday said there's been an increase in the number of people illegally bringing regulated food into Hong Kong, with many unaware of the restrictions.

It is an offence to bring in various types of food, including meat, poultry and dairy products, without an official certificate.

Customs said about 800 people were caught bringing fresh meat into Hong Kong in the first eight months of the year, and over 350 people were found to be bringing in eggs, which are another restricted product.

These figures are double those recorded over the whole of 2023.

Jacqueline Lee, deputy head of land boundary command, said most of those caught made no attempt to conceal purchases they had made on the mainland.

“The public may have a misunderstanding about the requirement of the law, as well as the convenient transport, and the food price differences between the two places. We think all these are the main causes of the trend,” she said.

Lee said most of the food illegally brought into Hong Kong was not chilled as it was being transported and it could therefore pose a risk to health.

She said officers have stepped up enforcement at land borders.