Restaurant Pest Management Guide: Best Practices to Meet FEHD Requirements
In Hong Kong, restaurant hygiene and pest management are strictly regulated by the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD). Under the Food Business Regulation, food business operators must ensure their premises meet hygiene standards. Failure to do so may result in an improvement notice or even revocation of the food business licence.
Common Pests and Risks in Restaurants
Cockroaches: The most common — contaminate food and spread pathogens like Salmonella and E. coli. FEHD inspectors pay particular attention to cockroach activity. Rodents: Can gnaw wiring and contaminate food, posing a serious food safety threat. Rodent evidence is one of the most common triggers for FEHD improvement notices. Flies: Breed in kitchen and waste areas, acting as important disease vectors. Ants: Especially in summer, can appear in large numbers in food storage areas and kitchens.
Key Elements of a Restaurant Integrated Pest Management Plan
(1) Regular monthly professional pest control service (recommended at least monthly); (2) Regular written reports and pest trend records (available for FEHD inspection); (3) Food storage management (sealed containers, stored off the floor); (4) Waste management (empty bins daily, kitchen waste disposed of daily); (5) Plumbing and facility maintenance (promptly repair leaking pipes and wall cracks); (6) Staff training (identifying pest signs and correct hygiene practices).