Hong Kong Customs today (August 3) arrested a female restaurant director suspected of supplying food with false trade descriptions, in contravention of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO).
Customs earlier received information alleging that a restaurant in Tai Po had provided dishes, which were claimed to contain abalone, suspected of carrying false trade descriptions.
Customs officers immediately test-purchased two dishes, claimed to be "abalone and ham macaroni" and "abalone and ham omelette", at the restaurant and sent samples to the Government Laboratory for examination.
Examination results confirmed that the ingredient claimed to be abalone in the two dishes was actually squid, different from what had been declared.
After investigation, Customs arrested the 47-year-old female restaurant director today.
Investigation is ongoing.
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, August 3, 2021