Hong Kong food safety authority investigates suspected breach of Japan seafood import ban
Hong Kong's Centre for Food Safety is investigating a suspected violation of its Food Safety Order after a batch of almond fish products processed in Saitama Prefecture, Japan, was found during checks. The order bans imports of certain aquatic products from ten Japanese prefectures since 24 August 2
Hong Kong's Centre for Food Safety (CFS) has launched an investigation into a suspected breach of the Food Safety Order concerning imported Japanese aquatic products, the government announced on 29 October 2026.
A CFS spokesman said that during routine checks on Japanese food imports, a batch of dried almond fish products processed in Saitama Prefecture after the order came into effect was discovered. The importer is believed to have violated the order.
Under the Food Safety Order, all live, frozen, chilled, dried or otherwise preserved aquatic products, sea salt, and raw or processed seaweed originating from ten Japanese prefectures — Tokyo, Fukushima, Ibaraki, Miyagi, Chiba, Gunma, Tochigi, Niigata, Nagano and Saitama — are banned from import into Hong Kong and supply within the territory if they were harvested, manufactured, processed or packaged on or after 24 August 2023.
The CFS said it will continue to follow up on the case and take appropriate action, including notifying the relevant Japanese authorities. If sufficient evidence is gathered, the centre will prosecute the importer involved. The investigation is ongoing.
The announcement was made at 5:50pm Hong Kong time on Thursday, 29 October 2026.
