Kwun Tong supermarket continues on-site baking despite prosecution
A Kai Bo Food Supermarket branch in Kwun Tong has been found continuing on-site baking operations despite facing prosecution for unlicensed food business. The revelation follows earlier enforcement actions by hygiene authorities, with potential penalties including fines and imprisonment.
Kai Bo Food Supermarket's Kwun Tong branch has been found continuing on-site baking operations despite earlier enforcement actions by hygiene authorities, an on-site inspection by Sing Tao Headline revealed on 6 November.
Following the acquisition of the local grocery chain by mainland e-commerce giant JD.com, the supermarket had introduced on-site bakery sections at both its newly opened Mau Tan Street store in Yuen Long and its Hong Ning Road outlet in Kwun Tong. The operations had previously been exposed for allegedly running unlicensed food businesses, prompting the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department to initiate prosecution against the responsible person.
During the inspection at the Hong Ning Road store in the afternoon, prominent posters advertising freshly baked goods made on-site were displayed across the premises. The baking zone contained milk supplies, pastry molds, and commercial ovens actively baking large batches of bread and egg tarts. Staff members were observed packaging freshly baked items on the spot for crowds of neighbourhood residents, with sales remaining brisk throughout the visit.
The layout of the supermarket raised potential food hygiene concerns, as the baking station was positioned within 2 to 3 metres of frozen meat display freezers. During the visit, flies were also observed settling on the outer packaging boxes of egg tarts awaiting purchase.
When approached by an undercover reporter posing as a customer inquiring whether the baked items were prepared on-site or delivered from an external food factory, an employee dismissed the question, asking why the origin mattered and remarking that the customer appeared more interested in investigating the bread than buying it.
Under the Food Business Regulation, operating an unlicensed food business is an offence liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of HK$50,000 and six months of imprisonment, along with an additional daily fine of HK$900 for each day the violation persists.
