In this Sept 15, 2022 photo, officials from Hong Kong Customs and the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department inspect a retail shop selling hairy crabs and distributing relevant promotional leaflets in the city. (PHOTO / INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT, HKSAR)

HONG KONG – Hong Kong Customs and the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) have reminded traders not to import or put on sale hairy crabs of an unknown origin to ensure that those are fit for human consumption. 

Officials from the two departments have inspected 172 hairy crab retail shops in the city since Thursday and have found no irregularity so far, according to a government press release.

During the inspections, officials monitored the sale of hairy crabs and also checked supportive documents for the place of origin and health certificates of the hairy crabs. The joint enforcement operations will continue, the release added.

READ MORE: Hairy crabs a must-have for fall holidays

Customs officials also made use of a big-data analytics system to conduct analyses and verify whether online shops selling hairy crabs had complied with the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO).

Asking traders not to apply a false trade description to goods or services, they said those who violate the TDO are liable on conviction to a maximum fine of HK$500,000 and imprisonment for five years.

ALSO READ: Ode to an autumn of gastronomic delights

Consumers have been advised to make purchases at reputable shops with the Shell Fish (Hairy Crab) Permit or relevant written permission from the FEHD.