A restaurant and its sole proprietor and another restaurant were convicted for supplying food with false trade descriptions in the course of trade, in contravention of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO), at Fanling Magistrates' Courts yesterday (December 28) and today (December 29). The two restaurants were fined $4,000 and $2,000 respectively while the sole proprietor was fined $4,000.
Hong Kong Customs earlier conducted spot checks and test purchases at various restaurants in the territory. During the operation, Customs officers test-purchased dishes claimed to be "grouper" and "abalone" at two restaurants in Tai Po and Sheung Shui respectively. Samples were sent to the Government Laboratory for examination.
Examination results confirmed that the test-purchased dishes at the above-mentioned restaurants were catfish and squid respectively, different from what had been declared.
Customs reminds traders to comply with the requirements of the TDO and consumers to procure products at reputable restaurants.
Under the TDO, any person who supplies goods with a false trade description in the course of trade or business, or is in possession of any goods for sale with a false trade description, commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.
Members of the public may report any suspected violations of the TDO to Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).
Ends/Tuesday, December 29, 2020