The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) said it has arrested and charged 14 unlicensed hawkers on suspicion of illegal sale of food.

Officers said they began a citywide, intelligence-led operation from July 17 – targeting high-risk sites and places where suspicious activities were conducted – during the early hours of the day.

Chief Health Inspector (Hawker) of the FEHD, Chan Sze-man, said they seized nearly 600kg of food, such as shellfish, milk along with expired items.

She said the suspects are aged between 38 and 74, all but one was also charged with obstruction of public places.

Two were also charged with selling restricted food without permission.

“If the sale of food from unknown sources, expired food, prohibited or restricted high-risk food by unlicensed hawkers is involved, the department will adopt a zero-tolerance approach, including immediate arrest without prior warning," Chan said.

Three of the arrests were made at the Tong Mei Road footbridge, according to Senior Health Inspector (Hawker) Yuen Chiu-kit of Mong Kok district.

Officers seized a total of 83kg of food there.



Edited by Edmond Fong