Customs to probe whether Liu Ma Kee involving false trade description

Customs said on Monday that it would investigate whether Liu Ma Kee, the century-old fermented bean curd brand, violated the Trade Descriptions Ordinance after the owner admitted to importing fermented bean curd instead of producing its own.

The statement comes after Jay Liu Fong-yip, a grandson of the family-run brand, told a radio program that Liu Ma Kee had not manufactured the white fermented bean curd for the past years after its factory in Hong Kong failed to keep up with tightened sewage regulations.

However, Liu insisted that the products were still “manufactured in Hong Kong” because the manufacturing process involved an additional five to six procedures to be completed in the city.

In response, Customs said the trade description in relation to goods means an indication - direct or indirect - of the goods or any part of the goods including claims as to place of manufacture or country of origin.

It noted that the Trade Descriptions Ordinance does not make it mandatory to specify information on goods or their packaging, but all trade descriptions marked on or attached to goods must be true and correct.

Customs said making a false or misleading statement about goods may constitute an offense of false trade description and is liable on conviction to a maximum fine of HK$500,000 and imprisonment for up to five years.

Customs added it is following up on the Liu Ma Kee incident and will take appropriate enforcement action against activities that contravene the Trade Descriptions Ordinance.