Hong Kong Customs today (December 18) seized 96 live birds suspected illegally imported with an estimated market value of about $10,000 at Lok Ma Chau Control Point.

     Hong Kong Customs officers intercepted an incoming private car at Lok Ma Chau Control Point this afternoon and seized a total of 96 live birds in the vehicle.

     The case was handed over to the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department for follow-up investigation.

     Under the Public Health (Animals and Birds) Regulations of the Public Health (Animals and Birds) Ordinance, Chapter 139, it is an offence to import any bird unless it is accompanied by a valid health certificate. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $25,000.

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

    

     The Department of Health (DH) is today (December 18) investigating a licensed wholesaler of proprietary Chinese medicine (pCm), Way On Tienchi Company Limited (Way On), at Queen’s Road Central, Hong Kong, for suspected illegal sale and possession of an unregistered pCm called "Wayon Tienchi Tablet (Steamed)".

     Acting upon intelligence, the DH conducted a field investigation and seized the above unregistered pCm. Preliminary investigations revealed that the above product had been imported from the Mainland for local sale. The product label claimed that the product was suitable for people requiring to replenish qi and blood. According to the record of the Chinese Medicine Council of Hong Kong (CMCHK), Way On held three registered pCms namely, "Wayon Tienchi Tablet (Natural) (Concentrated)" (registration number: HKC-07361) , "Wayon Tienchi Tablet (Steamed)" (registration number: HKP-07347) and "Wayon Tienchi Tablet (Natural)" (registration number: HKP-07355). The suspected unregistered pCm is not one of the aforementioned three registered pCms.

     "Unregistered pCms may pose threats to public health as their safety, quality and efficacy are not proven. Way On is voluntarily recalling the above unregistered pCm from the market and has set up a hotline (2541 1428) for related enquiries. Our investigations are ongoing and we will closely monitor the recall. So far, no related adverse reports have been received," a spokesman for the DH said.

     According to section 119 of the Chinese Medicine Ordinance (Cap 549), no person shall sell, import or possess any pCm unless it is registered. The maximum penalty is a fine of $100,000 and two years' imprisonment. The DH will seek advice from the Department of Justice on prosecution matters upon completion of the investigation, and will refer the case to the CMCHK for consideration of possible disciplinary action.

     Members of the public who have purchased the above unregistered pCm should stop taking it immediately. Those who have consumed it and are feeling unwell should seek advice from healthcare professionals. People who have the product can submit it to the DH's Chinese Medicine Division on 16/F, AIA Kowloon Tower, Landmark East, 100 How Ming Street, Kwun Tong, during office hours for disposal.
 
     "The public should not buy or use products of doubtful composition or from unknown sources. All registered pCms should carry a Hong Kong registration number on the product label in the format of 'HKC-XXXXX' or 'HKP-XXXXX'. The list of registered pCm is published on the website of the CMCHK (http://www.cmchk.org.hk/pcm/eng/#main_listpcm.htm) for public reference," the spokesman added.

  

     The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (December 18) that a prepackaged pickled mustard sample was found to contain a preservative, sulphur dioxide, at a level exceeding the legal limit, and the preservative was not declared on the food label. The CFS is following up on the case.

     Details of the product are as follows:

Product name: Pickled Mustard
Product brand: Not available in English
Place of Origin: China
Manufacturer: Not available in English
Net weight: 280 grams
Best-before date: December 31, 2019

     "The CFS collected the abovementioned sample from Kai Bo Food Supermarket in Cheung Sha Wan for testing under its routine Food Surveillance Programme. The test result showed that the sample contained sulphur dioxide at a level of 438 parts per million (ppm), exceeding the legal limit of 100 ppm. The preservative was also not declared on the food label of the sample," the spokesman said.

     The CFS has informed the vendor concerned of the irregularities and instructed it to stop sale, remove from shelves the affected batch of the product and initiate a recall. Enquiries about the recall can be made to the vendor's hotline at 3987 8000 during office hours. The CFS is also tracing the source of the affected product.  

     Sulphur dioxide is a commonly used preservative in a variety of foods including dried vegetables, dried fruits, pickled vegetables and meat products. 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 after consumption.

     The spokesman reminded the food trade that the use of preservatives in food must comply with the Preservatives in Food Regulation (Cap 132BD). Furthermore, the Food and Drugs (Composition and Labelling) Regulations (Cap 132W) require that the food ingredients of all prepackaged food for sale in Hong Kong should be listed out on the list of ingredients. Offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $50,000 and six months' imprisonment upon conviction.

     The CFS will alert the trade, continue to follow up on the incident and take appropriate action. Investigation is ongoing. 

     The Action Committee Against Narcotics (ACAN) reviewed the local drug situation in the first three quarters of 2018 at its quarterly meeting today (December 18). The total number of reported drug abusers declined compared to the same period last year, but the rise of the number of newly reported drug abusers, hidden drug abuse and drug abuse of young adults still call for attention.

     According to the latest figures of the Central Registry of Drug Abuse (CRDA), the total number of reported drug abusers in the first three quarters of 2018 decreased by 1 per cent (from 5,674 to 5,625) as compared with the same period in 2017. The number of reported drug abusers aged under 21 also decreased by 1 per cent (from 377 to 375).

     The number of newly reported drug abusers increased by 6 per cent (from 1,239 to 1,308) compared with the same period last year. About half (48 per cent) were young adults aged between 21 and 35, showing that drug abuse in this age group requires sustained attention.

     The latest CRDA figures also revealed that the median history of drug abuse of newly reported abusers (i.e. the time for abusers to be reported to the CRDA by reporting agencies from their first drug abuse) was 5 years, compared with 4.3 years in 2017, indicating that hidden drug abuse remains an issue to be addressed.

     In the first three quarters of 2018, the total number of reported narcotic analgesic abusers increased by 1 per cent (from 3,141 to 3,176) compared to the same period last year. The vast majority were heroin abusers. The total number of reported psychotropic substance abusers (PSAs) decreased by 4 per cent (from 3,310 to 3,173) compared to the same period last year. Among the newly reported cases, the number of PSAs (at 1,154) was considerably higher than that of narcotic analgesic abusers (at 160).

     Heroin remained the most common type of drug abused among all reported drug abusers. Meanwhile, methamphetamine (commonly known as "Ice") continued to be the most common type of psychotropic substance abused, but the number of reported abusers decreased by 16 per cent (from 1,431 to 1,206) compared with the same period last year. There were increases in the numbers of reported abusers of cocaine (from 698 to 798) and cannabis (from 316 to 351). Increased abuse of these two drugs among reported young persons aged under 21 was also observed (the number of cocaine abusers increased from 181 to 206 while the number of cannabis abusers increased from 98 to 115).    

     Psychotropic substances with reduced numbers of reported abusers include ketamine (from 536 to 402), cough medicine (from 212 to 199) and nimetazepam (from 26 to 21). Increases were registered for triazolam/midazolam/zopiclone (from 737 to 745) and MDMA ("ecstasy") (from 24 to 28).

     The CRDA figures for the first three quarters of 2018 are available on the website of the Narcotics Division (ND) of the Security Bureau (www.nd.gov.hk/en/index.htm). 

     The ACAN Chairman, Dr Ben Cheung, said, "Although the overall number of reported drug abusers in the first three quarters of this year declined, we need to closely monitor the implications of the rise of the number of newly reported drug abusers as well as increased cocaine and cannabis abuse on the future drug trends.

     "Cocaine abuse jeopardises the abuser's health. It may cause nasal and respiratory damage, mania, hallucination, delirium, paranoid delusion, impaired memory and even heart disease. With the recent legalisation of recreational cannabis in individual overseas countries and jurisdictions, young people may have the wrong belief that cannabis is not harmful. Cannabis is addictive and can cause irreversible impairment to cognitive functions, mental illness, anxiety and hallucinations, respiratory diseases, cardiovascular diseases and cancer. No one should try any drugs."

     With the Christmas and New Year holidays approaching, ACAN and the ND will step up anti-drug publicity. After today's meeting, Dr Cheung; the Chairman of the ACAN Sub-committee on Preventive Education and Publicity, Dr Tik Chi-yuen; and the Commissioner for Narcotics, Ms Manda Chan, with the support of the Vice-chairman of the District Fight Crime Committee (DFCC) (Wan Chai District), Mr Yeung Ka-shing, and the Divisional Commander of the Wan Chai Division of the Hong Kong Police Force, Ms Florence Chow, distributed anti-drug leaflets and souvenirs to members of the public at the Paterson Street Pedestrian Precinct in Causeway Bay. The event served as a reminder for the public to remain vigilant and resist drug temptations during the festive season.

     Ms Chan said, "We will continue to enhance anti-drug publicity and preventive education for teenagers and young adults. By collaborating with the anti-drug sector through various approaches, we will also assist hidden drug abusers to seek help early. The ND's anti-drug hotline 186 186 and instant messaging service 98 186 186 will help anyone with drug problems."

     Ms Chan reminded, "Cannabis and its major compound tetrahydro-cannabidol (THC) are dangerous drugs controlled under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance (Cap. 134). It is a criminal offence to possess cannabis or bring cannabis into Hong Kong. Members of the public should note that products, including food products and drinks, that contain cannabis or THC are also controlled under Cap. 134."

     Other participants at today's event included ACAN members Mr Chan Man-ho, Mr Chan Wing-kin, Mr Edwin Cheng, Professor Cheung Yuet-wah, Mr Fan Hoi-kit and Dr Annissa Lui; members of the ACAN Sub-committee on Preventive Education and Publicity Mr Poon Hing-fai, Mr Tai Ming-kee and Miss Yung Wai-sum; and members of the DFCC (Wan Chai District) Dr Chow Kam-wai, Ms Anita Lam, Mr Lui Hon-fai and Ms Yolanda Ng, who is also a member of the Wan Chai District Council.

      

     â€‹The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (December 18) announced that a sample of prepackaged oat wrap imported from Australia was found to contain sorbic acid, a preservative not permitted to be added in bread-type products, and the preservative was not declared on its food label, breaching the food labelling regulations. The CFS is following up on the incident.

     Product details are as follows:

Product name: Oat Wraps
Brand name: Mountain Bread
Place of origin: Australia
Manufacturer: Mountain Bread
Net weight: 200 grams per pack
Best-before date: December 31, 2018

     "The CFS collected the above-mentioned sample from a supermarket in Pok Fu Lam for testing under its routine Food Surveillance Programme. The test result showed that the sample contained sorbic acid at a level of 2 090 parts per million. According to the Preservatives in Food Regulation (Cap 132BD), sorbic acid is not permitted to be added in bread-type products." the CFS spokesman said.

     The CFS has informed the vendor concerned of the irregularity and instructed it to stop sale and remove from shelves the affected batch of the product.

     The spokesman said, "Sorbic acid is a preservative of low-toxicity. Based on the level detected in the above-mentioned sample, adverse health effects will not be caused by usual consumption."

     The spokesman reminded the food trade that the use of preservatives in food must comply with the Preservatives in Food Regulation (Cap 132BD). Offenders of the regulation are liable to a maximum fine of $50,000 and six months' imprisonment upon conviction.

     The CFS will inform the trade, continue to follow up on the case and take appropriate action. Investigation is ongoing.