Hong Kong authorities have arrested 13 unlicensed hawkers for selling expired food products or those from unknown sources in a series of crackdowns across the city.

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department said on Tuesday that items being sold by the hawkers included sushi, bread, canned products, bottled soybean milk, packaged milk and meat in the Eastern, Kwun Tong and Kowloon City districts.

“The department will charge the unlicensed hawkers concerned with illegal hawking, causing obstruction in public places, selling restricted food without permission, or selling expired food,” a spokesman said.

Authorities stressed “stringent enforcement actions, including immediate arrests without prior warning,” were necessary due to food safety considerations, although officers would deal with elderly or disabled hawkers in a lenient manner.

The department did not reveal dates for the latest arrests, including the ages and disabilities of the hawkers, or whether they were Hong Kong residents.

They also warned the public of the high risks to food safety involved in consuming items from unknown sources and expired products, and advised the public to refrain from patronising illegal hawkers.