Customer numbers fall after Kuen Fat Kitchen hygiene probe

13th April 2026 – (Hong Kong) Hong Kong’s Food and Environmental Hygiene Department has launched a prosecution against the Kwun Tong food factory of leading two‑dish rice chain Kuen Fat Kitchen after inspectors discovered hygiene irregularities during a recent visit. The action followed a complaint earlier this month alleging that large quantities of frozen meat had been left for an extended period in a public corridor outside the premises. Officers subsequently attended the site to examine food handling procedures and sanitary conditions. During the inspection, stains were found on walls and flooring, prompting authorities to initiate legal proceedings under the Food Business Regulation. Offenders face a maximum penalty of a HK$10,000 fine and three months’ imprisonment. In response, the company issued a public apology. The owner attributed the incident to improper delivery arrangements by a supplier and inadequate handling by staff, pledging to strengthen oversight of hygiene standards. The proprietor’s wife added that the stains were linked to water seepage within the unit and stressed that remedial action had been taken immediately after notification of the prosecution. She emphasised that enforcement action concerned wall stains only and did not involve food quality. The company also noted that subsequent inspections at its Yau Ma Tei and Jordan branches uncovered no violations. Public reaction has been mixed. Since news of the controversy broke, evening trade at the chain’s Nathan Road outlet has reportedly declined, with queues that once stretched outside now absent. Some online commentators have taken a contrarian view, suggesting that amid heightened scrutiny, food safety standards may be at their most rigorous. Others, however, remain uneasy, saying concerns over hygiene are difficult to dispel despite assurances from the operator.