â€‹The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (May 23) announced that a trace amount of malachite green was found in a grass carp sample. Follow-up is in progress.
      
     A CFS spokesman said, "The CFS collected the abovementioned grass carp sample from a fresh provision shop in Wong Tai Sin for testing under its routine Food Surveillance Programme. The test result showed that the sample contained a trace amount of malachite green at a level of 2.4 parts per billion.
      
     "The CFS has informed the vendor concerned of the irregularity and instructed it to stop sale of the affected product," the spokesman added.
      
     Malachite green is a type of industrial dye and has been used for treating infections in fish. Malachite green is possibly both genotoxic and carcinogenic. According to the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA), there is no safe level of residues of malachite green or its metabolites in food that represents an acceptable risk to consumers, and competent authorities should prevent residues of malachite green in food. Major agricultural economies such as the Mainland, the European Union, Canada and the United States prohibit the use of the chemical in food fish. According to the Harmful Substances in Food Regulations (Cap 132AF), no food sold in Hong Kong is allowed to contain malachite green. Offenders will be prosecuted and will be liable to a fine of $50,000 and to imprisonment for six months upon conviction.
      
     The CFS will continue to follow up on the incident and take appropriate action, including tracing the source of the affected product. Investigation is ongoing.

     Correctional officers of the Escort and Support Group stopped a remand person in custody attacking an officer today (May 23).

     At 11.55am, a 27-year-old male remand person in custody suddenly attacked a correctional officer with his hand in the waiting area of a courtroom before attending a court hearing in the District Court. Officers at scene immediately stopped him.

     The correctional officer sustained injury to his face and was referred to a public hospital for further treatment while the assailant did not sustain any injury.

     The Correctional Services Department has referred the incident to the Police for investigation.

     The assailant was remanded for the offence of conspiracy to assist the passage within Hong Kong of unauthorised entrants.

     The Private Columbaria Affairs Office (PCAO) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) cracked down on a suspected illegal private columbarium in Yau Ma Tei this afternoon (May 23).

     The operator in this case was suspected of operating a private columbarium at the premises without a licence under the Private Columbaria Ordinance.
 
     The Courts issued search warrants to PCAO officers to authorise them to search the premises. During the operation, PCAO officers seized a number of exhibits and arrested one male and one female. Investigation is ongoing.
 
     Under the Ordinance any person who operates, keeps, manages or in any other way has control of a columbarium otherwise than under a licence commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for three years, or on conviction on indictment to a fine of $5 million and imprisonment for seven years.
 
     A spokesman for the FEHD said, "This department will continue to take stringent enforcement action against illegally operated private columbaria. Members of the public should not buy or rent niches from any unlicensed private columbaria.

     "If members of the public detect any activities of illegally operating a private columbarium, they should immediately make a report to the FEHD by calling the hotline 2868 0000."
 

     â€‹A new exhibition entitled "Becoming Jane – Inspiring a Shared Planet" will be held at the Hong Kong Science Museum from tomorrow (May 24). The exhibition highlights some of the amazing stories and experiences of the renowned British biologist Dr Jane Goodall, who spent many years observing chimpanzees in the jungles of Africa, and aims to encourage Hong Kong youths to take constructive action to protect wildlife and the environment as well as live a sustainable lifestyle.
 
     The opening ceremony of the exhibition was held today (May 23). The Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Ms Michelle Li, said that Dr Goodall is one of the world's most respected conservationists and scientists, and her pioneering study of wild chimpanzees in Tanzania over some 60 years revolutionised our understanding of the relationships between chimpanzees and humans.

     She added that Dr Goodall set up the Jane Goodall Institute with the aim of drawing global attention to the protection of chimpanzees. In supporting the mission of the Jane Goodall Institute, the Hong Kong Science Museum will strive to further promote science and technology to the young generation and inspire them to further apply knowledge to help conserve the planet.
 
     For the exhibition, the exhibition hall has been transformed to resemble an African jungle to reflect the habitat of chimpanzees. Visitors will be able to improve their knowledge of chimpanzees, including their unique kinship with humans, the emotions shown by their facial expressions, their ability to make and use tools, and their self-medication methods using forest resources. A projection of Dr Goodall at work in a jungle tent will also be shown, as she shares her stories from the African forests.
 
     The exhibition will present the first holistic projection of Dr Goodall making her early scientific discoveries, and will also showcase her dedicated contributions to environmental conservation and youth empowerment through various interactive devices.
      
     Other officiating guests today included the Chairman of the Jane Goodall Institute Hong Kong, Mr Ericson Chan; the Executive Director of the Jane Goodall Institute Tanzania, Mr Freddy Kimaro; the Executive Manager of Charities (Grant Making – Sports and Environment) of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, Ms Donna Tang; the Assistant Director (Conservation) of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, Mr Simon Chan; the Founder and Director of Globe Creative, Ms Karen Chang; and the Acting Museum Director of the Hong Kong Science Museum, Mr Robert Leung.
 
     The "Becoming Jane – Inspiring a Shared Planet" exhibition is jointly presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and the Jane Goodall Institute (Hong Kong), jointly organised by the Hong Kong Science Museum and the Jane Goodall Institute (Hong Kong), and solely sponsored by the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust.
 
     The exhibition will run until October 2. For details, please visit the Science Museum's website at hk.science.museum/ms/jane_goodall2019 or call 2732 3232 for enquiries.
 
     Dr Goodall is a noted humanitarian and environmentalist who has spent many years observing the behaviour of chimpanzees in their native habitat. In the past few decades, Dr Goodall has been increasingly concerned about the damage to the environment caused by human activities, and has increasingly devoted her time to campaigning and acting as an advocate for environmental charities and concerns.
 
     The Hong Kong Science Museum is located at 2 Science Museum Road, Tsim Sha Tsui East.

          

     The Secretary for the Environment, Mr Wong Kam-sing, continued his visit to Singapore today (May 23) and visited a number of renewable energy and waste treatment facilities.

     Mr Wong first paid a visit to the Floating Solar Systems at Tengeh Reservoir. The system covers one hectare and was launched in 2016. He then departed for the School of Design and Environment of the National University of Singapore, where he toured the first new-build Net-Zero Energy Building in Singapore, which was unveiled early this year.

     In the afternoon, Mr Wong visited Semakau Landfill and was briefed by staff on Singapore's solid waste management policies and the operation of the landfill. Located about 8km south of Singapore, Semakau Landfill is the only landfill in the city-state and it handles all of its incineration ash in addition to around 200 000 tonnes of solid waste annually. Mr Wong also called at Marina Barrage to tour its Green Roof as well as the Sustainable Singapore Gallery.

     In the evening, Mr Wong will meet with young Hong Kong people studying and working in Singapore, and have dinner with them to chat and learn more about their daily life. He will continue his visit tomorrow (May 24).