Sushiro Hong Kong denies links to alleged food smuggling uncovered in TVB show
Sushi chain’s parent company threatens legal action against free-to-air broadcaster, criticising episode of Scoop as incomplete, inaccurate
A popular Japanese sushi chain in Hong Kong has denied involvement in alleged food smuggling after a television show investigation showed parallel traders transporting raw fish and chilled goods from mainland China using the restaurant’s foam boxes, sparking food safety fears.
Food and Life Companies, the parent firm of Sushiro HK, also threatened legal action against free-to-air broadcaster TVB in a statement on Monday night, accusing its report of being incomplete and inaccurate, while arguing the investigation was based on one-sided information without factual basis.
The accusations were made in an episode of Scoop that aired on Monday evening, after the show received an anonymous tip-off in May about a group of elderly individuals transporting boxes of food from the mainland to Hong Kong.
The boxes were marked with various food types, including salmon, and listed the addresses of different outlets, including those in Jordan, Sheung Wan and Kwai Fong, suggesting the goods were being smuggled into the city’s eateries.
The programme stated that its production team conducted a lengthy investigation, spotting smugglers exchanging the goods in a car park near the Fung Ying Seen Koon temple in Fanling.
It also noted that the site conditions were poor and the storage methods used by the smugglers failed to meet hygiene standards.