New Korean BBQ Restaurant convicted for third time for causing nuisance by generating strong odour emissions

******************************************************************************************

     New Korean BBQ Restaurant located at Capital Building, Lockhart Road, Wan Chai, generated strong odour emissions and caused nuisance to nearby residents. It had been prosecuted by the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) three times for failing to comply with statutory notice requirements to minimise its cooking odour and was convicted today (January 8) by Eastern Magistrates' Courts for the third time for contravening the Air Pollution Control Ordinance (APCO) and was fined $12,000.

     The EPD received a complaint from a member of the public in March 2015 against New Korean BBQ Restaurant for generating strong odour emissions and adversely affecting nearby residents. Upon investigation, EPD staff confirmed that the restaurant did not install effective air pollution control equipment and thus issued a statutory notice according to the APCO, requesting it to take measures to abate the odour nuisance. During the follow-up inspections, EPD staff found that the restaurant did not comply with the statutory notice requirements by the specified date, and the department thus prosecuted the restaurant three times. After the EPD's continuous enforcement operations, the restaurant completed the installation of the air pollution control equipment early this month, which has helped to effectively control the odour nuisance.

     An EPD spokesman reminded food business operators that they should install proper equipment such as electrostatic precipitators to control the emission of oily fumes and cooking odours. They should also ensure regular maintenance and proper operation of their exhaust systems and cooking fume control equipment.

     According to the APCO, food business operators must comply with the statutory notice requirements to carry out relevant improvement works within the specified time. Anyone who fails to comply with the notice requirements commits an offence. First-time offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $100,000. A maximum fine of $200,000 and six months' imprisonment may be imposed on second or subsequent convictions.

     Guidelines on the control of oily fumes and cooking odours from restaurants and food business have been uploaded to the EPD's website for reference by restaurant operators: www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/air/guide_ref/pamphlet_oilfume.html.

Ends/Monday, January 8, 2018
Issued at HKT 15:30

NNNN

Archives Yesterday's Press Releases

Back to Index Page

Today's Press Releases