During the operation, Customs arrested three people - two men and a woman - aged between 25 and 33.
Acting on a complaint that a bottle of bird's nest was fake, Customs officers launched investigations that showed several bird' nest products of various brands were sold in local market, including a supermarket chain, through a local food retailer.
Since the suspected fake bird' s nest products were manufactured by a Mainland factory, Hong Kong Customs notified Guangdong Customs for their follow-up action.
As revealed by initial laboratory tests by the Government Laboratory, the suspected fake bottled bird's nest did not contain bird's nest or harmful substance.
Customs found that the seized bottled bird's nest had been sold at prices lower than those of other brands.
"Customs believed that dishonest businessmen attempted to take advantage of the upcoming Lunar New Year to sell fake products on the market," a spokesman for Customs and Excise said today (January 18).
He called on members of the public, including industry players, not to contravene the Trade Descriptions Ordinance or they would be liable to prosecution. The maximum penalty for the offence is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.
Any person who has any information about suspected fake bottled bird's nest may report to Customs 24-hour special hotline 2716 2385.
If consumers have any questions about the quality of a product, they are advised to contact the Consumer Council for assistance. Enquiries can be made to 2929 2222 during office hours.
Reprinted from HKSAR Government web page:
http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/200601/18/P200601180212.htm