​A spokesman for the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) announced today (March 23) that the department has carried out a series of blitz operations across the territory over the past weekend, targeting unlicensed hawkers selling cooked food, with particular focus on crowded areas such as locations where foreign domestic helpers gather. During the operations, FEHD officers arrested four foreign nationals in Central/Western District, Wan Chai District, and Mong Kok District for suspected illegal hawking and causing obstruction in public places. A total of seven prosecutions were initiated. As it is suspected that the individuals involved have also contravened the Immigration Ordinance, the cases have been referred to the Immigration Department for follow-up.

     The spokesman said that about 150 kilograms of food items, including desserts, grilled fish, fried snacks, lunch boxes, sauces and instant beverages, were seized during the operations. To safeguard food safety and maintain environmental hygiene, the FEHD will continue to adopt an intelligence-led approach, deploying flexible enforcement strategies, stepping up inspections at high-risk locations, and conducting blitz operations. FEHD officers also distributed leaflets to foreign domestic helpers, reminding them not to engage in unlicensed hawking and explaining the relevant laws and consequences of violations.

     The FEHD has long adopted a balanced approach in handling the issue of unlicensed hawkers. However, if the sale of cooked food, food from unknown sources, expired items, or food that is prohibited or restricted for sale is involved, the department will take stringent enforcement actions, including immediate arrests without prior warning, to safeguard food safety and public health. In the first two months of this year, the FEHD initiated 28 prosecutions against such violations and seized over 240 kg of food items in question.

     According to the relevant ordinances, unlicensed hawking is subject to a maximum fine of $10,000 and six months’ imprisonment. If unlicensed hawking activities also cause obstruction of passageways, offenders may be fined $25,000 or imprisoned for three months. In addition, any person who sells restricted food (including frozen meat, sashimi and sushi) without permission or sells expired food commits an offence and is liable to a maximum fine of $50,000 and six months’ imprisonment upon conviction.

     The FEHD urges members of the public not to patronise food from unknown sources or illegal street hawkers. The public may report hawkers selling suspicious food to the FEHD. Immediate follow-up actions will be taken.

     The FEHD reaffirmed its commitment to relentlessly curbing unlicensed hawking activities, particularly when it involves food sales, and called on the public to work together to safeguard food safety and environmental hygiene.