FEHD launches second phase of Operation Skynet targeting public markets
Hong Kong's Food and Environmental Hygiene Department has launched the second phase of Operation Skynet, a two-week crackdown on pest and hygiene problems at public markets, after the first phase targeting supermarkets and restaurants concluded. The first phase resulted in 1,930 inspections, 120 sta
The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) announced on Tuesday the immediate launch of the second phase of "Operation Skynet", a two-week special inspection and enforcement operation targeting public markets across all districts, following the conclusion of the first phase that focused on supermarkets, restaurants and other food premises.
The first phase, which ran from September 30, involved 1,930 inspections in total. Against supermarkets, officers conducted 1,177 inspections, issued 65 statutory Notices of Elimination of Vermin, 25 Notices of Requirement to Cleanse and Repair Food Premises and two warnings, and initiated 14 prosecutions.
For restaurants, the department carried out 432 inspections, issuing 35 statutory Notices of Elimination of Vermin, 41 Notices of Requirement to Cleanse and Repair Food Premises and six warnings, and initiating 65 prosecutions. A further 321 inspections were conducted against other food premises, resulting in 20 statutory Notices of Elimination of Vermin, 17 Notices of Requirement to Cleanse and Repair Food Premises, and 24 prosecutions.
During the operation, FEHD officers reviewed environmental hygiene and refuse management at these premises to ensure proper waste disposal, checked goods shelves, refrigerators and food storage areas for cleanliness, and inspected for signs of pest and rodent activity to identify root causes and potential risks. The department said it will continue to follow up on these findings, step up inspections and take further enforcement action where necessary.
A spokesman for the FEHD reminded that any premises, including supermarkets, selling pre-made and prepackaged cooked foods, sushi and sashimi must obtain the relevant licence or restricted food permit issued by the FEHD and comply with the applicable licensing conditions.
In the second phase, the department will strictly require stall tenants to take proper food hygiene management and rodent control measures. It said it will adjust the intensity of inspections and rodent control efforts based on public complaints, inspection results, the number of rodents caught, rodent signs and actual risks at various public markets.
Meanwhile, the FEHD is also conducting a separate enforcement operation codenamed "Operation Clear Edge" across its cooked food centres and public markets to combat illegal smoking through blitz inspections. Since the operation began on September 28, officers have issued nearly 50 fixed penalty notices for smoking offences as of October 12. The second phase of "Operation Skynet" and "Operation Clear Edge" will be carried out concurrently to ensure the environmental hygiene of public markets.