The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) is today (May 14) investigating two cases of measles infection. Both cases involve workers at a shop in Tsim Sha Tsui with an outbr… read more
Police today (May 14) appealed to the public for information on a woman who went missing in Yuen Long. Lau Pui-shan, aged 33, went missing after she was last seen at Fung Lok Lane on May 8 morning. H… read more
The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (May 14) that a fresh beef sample was found to contain sulphur dioxide, a preservative which is not permitted to be used in fresh meat. The CFS is following up on the case.
A spokesman for the CFS said, “The CFS took the above-mentioned fresh beef sample from a stall in Tung Yick Market, Yuen Long for testing under its routine Food Surveillance Programme. The test result showed that the sample contained sulphur dioxide at a level of 726 parts per million.”
According to the Preservatives in Food Regulation (Cap 132BD), it is an offence to add sulphur dioxide to fresh or chilled meat. The maximum penalty is a $50,000 fine and six months’ imprisonment.
The CFS will inform the vendor concerned of the abovementioned irregularity.
Sulphur dioxide is a commonly used preservative in a variety of foods including dried fruits, pickled vegetables and meat products such as sausages and grilled burgers, but under the Regulation it is not permitted in fresh or chilled meat. Nonetheless, individual meat traders may illegally use sulphur dioxide to make meat look fresher. This preservative is of low toxicity. As it is water soluble, most of it can be removed through washing and cooking. However, susceptible individuals who are allergic to this preservative may experience breathing difficulties, headache and nausea.
The spokesman reminded the food trade to comply with the law and not to sell fresh or chilled meat adulterated with sulphur dioxide. Members of the public should purchase meat from reliable market stalls or fresh provision shops. They should avoid buying or consuming meat which is unnaturally red and maintain a balanced diet to avoid malnutrition or excessive exposure to chemicals from a small range of food items.
The CFS will continue to follow up on the case and take appropriate action. Investigation is ongoing. read more
The Council of the Hong Kong Laureate Forum (the Council) held a ceremony today (May 14) at Government House Ballroom to celebrate the launch of the Hong Kong Laureate Forum. The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, attended the ceremony as the Guest of Honour.
The Forum aspires to be a world-class academic exchange event to connect the current and next generations of scientific leaders, and to promote understanding and interests among the young generation in Hong Kong and around the world in science and technology. The inaugural Forum will be held in November 2021 in Hong Kong and applications to attend the Forum are expected to start in 2020.
The Forum aims to inspire young scientists from around the world through participation in a week-long programme comprising world-class seminars, dialogues, workshops and more. The Forum will also provide ample opportunities for exchanges between Shaw laureates and young scientists.
In his welcoming remarks, the Chairman of the Council, Professor Timothy W Tong, said that the Council was determined to make the Forum an international platform to foster cross-cultural scientific dialogue that will contribute to furthering the understanding of science and enriching humanity.
Mrs Lam said innovation and technology has topped her Government’s policy agenda since she took office on July 1, 2017.
“If Hong Kong is to realise the compelling promise of innovation and technology, we must ensure a sustainable flow of talent by providing and promoting science and technology education in our schools at every level, from primary and secondary through to our post-secondary institutions and technical colleges,” said Mrs Lam.
Mrs Lam pointed out that the Hong Kong Laureate Forum could build an interest and enthusiasm for science among the younger generation by creating opportunities for direct exchange and inspiring dialogue with some of the brightest minds in science.
At the launch ceremony, Professor Tong signed a sponsorship agreement with the Director of Lee Shau Kee Foundation, Mr Martin Lee. The Lee Shau Kee Foundation is the Forum’s principal sponsor, and has pledged full sponsorship to the Forum for five years, starting in 2019. Professor Tong also signed a memorandum of understanding with the Shaw Prize Foundation Chairman, Mr Raymond Chan, to foster collaboration and exchanges among laureates of the Shaw Prize and young scientists from Hong Kong and all over the world. The two signing ceremonies were witnessed by the Chief Executive.
Four Shaw laureates, namely Professor Steven A Balbus, Professor John F Hawley, Professor E Peter Greenberg, and Professor Simon D M White attended the ceremony to pledge their support, as well as sharing their scientific experience and insights at a panel discussion.
Over 150 guests including the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, members of the Executive Council and Legislative Council, council chairmen and presidents of universities, academics, scientists, senior members of research institutions, consuls general and nearly 60 young scientists, attended the ceremony.
While the Forum was conceived by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, it will be organised by the Council formed by distinguished personalities and academics of Hong Kong. The Council is a non-profit making organisation. Its membership is as follows:
Chairman
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Professor Timothy W Tong
Members
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Mr Raymond Chan (representing the Shaw Prize Foundation)
Dr Moses Cheng
Mrs Rita Fan
Mr Henry Fan
Dr Victor Fung
Dr Colin Lam (representing the Lee Shau Kee Foundation)
Mr Martin Lee (representing the Lee Shau Kee Foundation)
Mr Carlson Tong
Professor Tsui Lap-chee
Mr Joseph Yam
Professor Kenneth Young
The Council has invited Dr Kan Tai-keung, an acclaimed local designer, to design the Forum logo. The three spheres of the logo symbolise the diversity and broad horizon of science, while the three arcs represent the forces of science while also resembling the shape of a laurel wreath, symbolising eminent Hong Kong scientists in discussion with young scientists, thereby creating an continuous drive to pursue science.
For details about the Forum, please visit its website at (hklaureateforum.org/en/). The Chief Executive’s blog of April 22 also gives an account of the launch of the Hong Kong Laureate Forum.
The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat: Members of the Legislative Council (LegCo) held separate meetings today (May 14) with members of the Sham Shui Po District Council (DC) and the … read more