Hong Kong authorities arrest 13 unlicensed hawkers for illegal sale of food

Hong Kong authorities have arrested 13 unlicensed hawkers, including eight aged 70 or above, for selling expired food products or those from unknown sources in a series of crackdowns across the city.

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department said on Tuesday that items being sold by the hawkers included sushi, bread, canned products, bottled soybean milk, packaged milk and meat in Eastern, Kwun Tong, Kowloon City and Kwai Chung districts.

“The department will charge the unlicensed hawkers concerned with illegal hawking, causing obstruction in public places, selling restricted food without permission, or selling expired food,” a spokesman said.

Authorities stressed stringent enforcement actions, including immediate arrests without prior warning, were necessary due to food safety considerations, although officers would deal with elderly or disabled hawkers in a lenient manner.

In a reply to Post queries, the department said all 13 were Hong Kong residents who were arrested between last Tuesday and Sunday, or on August 21. Five were aged from 50 to 69, while the other eight were between 70 and 85. None were disabled.

The department also warned the public of the high risks to food safety involved in consuming items from unknown sources and expired products, and advised the public to refrain from patronising illegal hawkers.