The proposal to revise the demerit-points system for licensed food premises aims to better reflect the degree of food safety and public hygiene risks different offences pose, Deputy Director of Food & Environmental Hygiene Annette Lee says.

Speaking at a LegCo panel today, Ms Lee said in reviewing the demerit-points system, the department has considered factors such as penalties reflecting the offences' severity, changes in legislation and Team Clean's recommendations.

To streamline the mechanism and enhance its effectiveness, the department plans to re-classify the offences into four groups - up from three, each with corresponding demerit points of 15, 10, 5 and 3. To simplify the mechanism, repeated convictions will no longer result in doubling or trebling of demerit points.

Similar to the existing mechanism, the accumulation of 15 demerit points within 12 months will result in licence suspension, extended from 7 to 21 days to enhance deterrence.

Under the proposal, there will no longer be any second suspension. If another 15 demerit points are accumulated within 12 months from the date of the offence leading to the licence suspension, the licence will be cancelled.

Ms Lee said the food trade will be consulted on the revisions and their views will be considered when finalising the proposals for implementation.