Author Archives: hksar gov

     Following is the transcript of remarks made by the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Patrick Nip, at a media session today (April 15) at the Legislative Council (LegCo) Complex on the loss of a Register of Electors relating to the 2016 LegCo General Election:

Reporter: Secretary, do you think you also have a responsibility to monitor this kind of incident that should not have happened? Why don’t you need to step down for this incident?

Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs: First of all, we need to conduct a thorough investigation to find out what actually has happened, whether it is a systemic issue or there are insufficient guidelines or protocols, or whether there are problems in implementing the relevant guidelines and protocols. We need to find out the problems, the cause of the issues and who should be accountable or responsible. As I said, if there was deliberate cover-up or human error, we would, of course, follow strictly the existing disciplinary mechanism.  

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.) read more

     The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (April 15) that two fresh beef samples were found to contain sulphur dioxide, a preservative which is not permitted to be used in fresh meat. The CFS is following up on the cases.

     A spokesman for the CFS said, “The CFS took the above-mentioned fresh beef samples from two stalls in Quarry Bay Market and Lai Wan Market for testing under its routine Food Surveillance Programme. The test results showed that the samples contained sulphur dioxide at respective levels of 145 parts per million (ppm) and 1 020 ppm.”

     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.

     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 have been found illegally using 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 cases and take appropriate action. Investigation is ongoing. read more

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (April 15) investigating two outbreaks of upper respiratory tract infection (URI) at a kindergarten-cum-child care centre (KG/CCC) in Kowloon City and … read more

     Hong Kong Customs has mounted a special operation code-named “Tidal Wave”, focusing on illicit heat-not-burn (HNB) products smuggled into Hong Kong, at the airport, seaport, land boundary and railway control points since January 1 this year. Until yesterday (April 14), Customs detected a total of 225 cases, arrested 195 persons and seized about 1.26 million suspected illicit HNB products with an estimated market value of about $3.6 million and a duty potential of about $2.4 million.

     The “Tidal Wave” operation is ongoing.

     On February 15 this year, the Government published in the Gazette the Smoking (Public Health) (Amendment) Bill 2019, which aims to ban the import, manufacture, sale, distribution and advertisement of alternative smoking products, including HNB products.

     A Customs spokesman said that the department has been concerned about the smuggling trend of HNB products and will continue its risk assessment and intelligence analysis strategy to step up enforcement against smuggling activities of such products through passenger and cargo channels.

     With the imminent arrival of festive holidays, Customs will step up deployment for stringent enforcement.

     Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO), tobacco products are dutiable goods to which the DCO applies. All HNB products containing tobacco in content are also dutiable goods subject to the control of the DCO. Any person who imports, possesses, sells or buys dutiable commodities without a valid licence commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $1 million and imprisonment for two years.

     Members of the public may call Customs’ hotline 2815 7711 to enquire whether a specific tobacco or smoking product is regulated by the DCO. They may also report any suspected violation of the DCO to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).

    

     â€‹Hong Kong Customs and the Mainland Customs conducted a joint operation from April 1 to yesterday (April 14) to combat cross-boundary counterfeit goods activities with goods destined for European countries. During the operation, Hong Kong Customs seized about 4 200 items of suspected counterfeit goods with an estimated market value of about $1 million.

     Hong Kong Customs and the Mainland Customs stepped up inspection of goods destined for European countries during the operation and Hong Kong Customs seized about 4 200 items of suspected counterfeit goods, including mobile phones, watches, footwear and clothes, effectively curbing cross-boundary counterfeit goods activities.

     Hong Kong Customs and the Mainland Customs have been working closely to combat cross-boundary counterfeiting activities through intelligence exchanges and joint enforcement actions. Hong Kong Customs will continue to collaborate closely with the Mainland and overseas law enforcement agencies targeting cross-boundary counterfeiting activities.

     Under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, any person who imports or exports counterfeit goods commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.

     Members of the public may report any suspected counterfeiting activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).