Five Hong Kong government health inspectors have been formally charged with theft by the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC). The charges allege that the inspectors conspired to steal imported food samples, including canned abalone and crab bisque, intended for radiation testing by the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD).
The accused officials, identified as Chan Ying-shan, Lam Hiu-kwan, Yu Fung-chun, Lau Shing-hin, and Lee Chun-hei, range in age from 28 to 37 years old. According to the ICAC statement released on Wednesday, they are accused of plotting between May 2022 and March 2023 to misappropriate surplus food samples acquired on behalf of the Centre for Food Safety’s Risk Management Division.
Their responsibilities included conducting radiation checks on imported food items, a measure implemented as part of routine food surveillance from January 2021 onwards. The ICAC investigation was initiated following a corruption complaint, revealing that the inspectors allegedly intended to divert leftover samples for personal use, contrary to departmental protocols mandating proper disposal and documentation.
The investigation further disclosed that over HK$88,000 of public funds were expended to procure food samples from multiple importers for two rounds of radiation testing. Subsequently, ICAC officers discovered more than 80 unused food samples, such as canned abalone, white truffle sauce, crab bisque, Japanese rice, and pasta, stored at the inspectors’ residences.
In response to these findings, the ICAC emphasized its commitment to eliminating misconduct within the FEHD and announced integrity training sessions for all personnel involved in food testing. The objective of these sessions is to reinforce ethical standards and deter abuse of official positions for personal gain.
The accused inspectors have been granted bail and are scheduled to appear at West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts on Thursday to answer the charges leveled against them.
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