The FEHD operates 104 public markets (including 25 free-standing cooked food markets) with about 11 720 occupied stalls selling commodities ranging from fresh food to household items.

To improve the cleanliness of public markets, the department enhanced the intensive cleansing of common areas and facilities, and inspection of their cleanliness. A monthly cleansing day was introduced from November 2003 under which stall tenants are required to thoroughly cleanse their own stalls to a level acceptable to the FEHD. A new streamlined system of sanction took effect in November 2003, whereby warning letters are issued to operators who have breached tenancy conditions.