XN000022-1985-07-22 — Page 6

MONDAY, JULY 22, 1985

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UNLICENSED FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS FACE PROSECUTION

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A TOTAL OF 770 PEOPLE WERE FINED $679 000 DURING THE FIRST HALF OF THE YEAR FOR OPERATING UNLICENSED FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS AND FOR BREACHING INJUNCTION ORDERS IN THE NON-URBAN AREA, THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (MONDAY).

A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN WARNED THAT ACTION WOULD BE TAKEN AGAINST FOOD ESTABLISHMENT OPERATORS WHO STARTED BUSINESS BEFORE BEING ISSUED A LICENCE.

THESE FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS INCLUDE RESTAURANTS, PLACES SERVING LIGHT REFRESHMENT, FOOD FACTORIES, BAKERIES, +SIU MEI+ AND +LO ME!+ SHOPS, FRESH PROVISION SHOPS AND FACTORY CANTEENS.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT 546 PEOPLE WERE FINED $329 000 FOR OPERATING SUCH ESTABLISHMENTS IN THE SIX-MONTH PERIOD.

UNDER THE PROVISION OF THE FOOD BUSINESS (NEW TERRITORIES) REGULATIONS, THE MAXIMUM PENALTY FOR OPERATING A FOOD ESTABLISHMENT WITHOUT A LICENCE IS A FINE OF $10 000 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR THREE MONTHS.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT IF A PREMISES WAS FOUND TO BE USED REPEATEDLY AS AN UNLICENSED FOOD ESTABLISHMENT, THE MAGISTRATE NORMALLY ISSUED AN INJUNCTION ORDER PROHIBITING THE PREMISES TO CONTINUE BUSINESS.

ANYONE BREACHING THE INJUNCTION ORDER WILL BE LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $25 000 AND SIX-MONTH IMPRISONMENT.

HE ADDED THAT IN THE FIRST SIX MONTHS, 224 SUCH CASES WERE RECORDED IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WITH A TOTAL PINE OF $350 000.

HE STRESSED THAT TO SAFEGUARD PUBLIC HEALTH, THE DEPARTMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO ACT AGAINST UNLICENSED FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS.

PEOPLE WISHING TO START FOOD BUSINESS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES SHOULD APPLY TO THE LICENSING SECTION OF THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT ON THE SEVENTH FLOOR OF GOLDEN GATE COMMERCIAL BUILDING, 136-138 AUSTIN ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI.

FOR ENQUIRIES, THEY SHOULD TELEPHONE 3-674251 OR 3-673944.

REGISTRATION REVOKED

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THE ACTING COMMISSIONER OF DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES

ANNOUNCED THAT HE HAS TODAY REVOKED THE REGISTRATION OF AMERICAN UNITED FINANCE LIMITED AS A DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY, ON THE GROUND THAT THE COMPANY HAS FAILED TO COMPLY WITH THE LIQUIDITY REQUIREMENT UNDER SECTION 24A OF THE DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES ORDINANCE, AND UNDER SECTION 14(1) (H) OF THE ORDINANCE ON THE GROUND THAT IT APPEARS TO HIM THE COMPANY HAS SUSPENDED PAYMENT.

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