Hong Kong caterer Maxim's told to stay clear of courts - and cockroaches
A magistrate said he hoped never to see Maxim's in court again as he fined the catering chain HK$7,000 on Tuesday for cockroaches found in a lunch box sold by a subsidiary in June.
A magistrate said he hoped never to see Maxim's in court again as he fined the catering chain HK$7,000 on Tuesday for cockroaches found in a lunch box sold by a subsidiary in June.
The questionable lunch box contained a meal of rice with grilled chicken in lemon sauce - and two cockroaches. The woman who bought it from a branch in Central did not discover the pests until she got to the bottom of the box.
Maxim's Caterers, owner of about 700 local food outlets, pleaded guilty at Eastern Court to one count of offering "food not of the substance demanded by the purchaser".
Special Magistrate Robin Yue King-tin heard in mitigation that most of the chain's 142 prior offences were committed before 2003. But he noted consumers relied on good reputations and said he hoped "it will be the very last time I see Maxim's Group".
Yue said it was hard to win recognition from society and the case "ruined the Maxim's reputation in one night".
He was, however, impressed by the prompt action Maxim's counsel Andrew Powner said the company had taken, including increased pest control and regular professional cleaning.
