The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (December 13) that a sample of frozen ling fillet imported from New Zealand was found to contain a metal contaminant, mercury, at a level exceeding the legal limit. The CFS is following up on the case.

     A spokesman for the CFS said, "The CFS collected the abovementioned sample at import level for testing under its routine Food Surveillance Programme. The test result showed that it contained mercury at a level of 2.84 parts per million (ppm), exceeding the legal limit of 0.5 ppm."

     The spokesman said the CFS had informed the importer concerned of the irregularity and is tracing the source and distribution of the affected product.

     "Mercury may affect the nervous system, particularly the developing brain. At high levels, mercury can affect foetal brain development, and affect vision, hearing, muscle co-ordination and memory in adults. Furthermore, as some international organisations such as the World Health Organization have pointed out, consuming predatory fish species is the main source of mercury intake for human beings. The report of the CFS' Total Diet Study has also pointed out that large fish or predatory fish species may contain high mercury levels (for example, tuna, alfonsino, shark, swordfish, marlin, orange roughy and king mackerel). Hence, groups particularly susceptible to the adverse effects of mercury, such as pregnant women, women planning pregnancy and young children, should opt for fish that are smaller in size for consumption and avoid consumption of the above-mentioned types of fish which may contain high mercury levels to minimise the health risk posed to the foetus, infants and young children by excessive exposure to metal contaminants in food," he added.

     According to the Food Adulteration (Metallic Contamination) Regulations (Cap 132V), any person who sells food with metallic contamination above the legal limit may be prosecuted and is liable upon conviction to a fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for six months.

     "People are advised to maintain a balanced and varied diet. To avoid health risks posed by excessive intake of metallic contaminants, pregnant women, women planning pregnancy and young children should avoid eating large or predatory fish," the spokesman said.

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

     The Labour Department (LD) is investigating a fatal work accident at Un Chau Street in Sham Shui Po this afternoon (December 13), in which a man died.

     The LD has immediately deployed staff to the scene upon receiving a report of the accident, and is now conducting an investigation to look into its cause.

     Hong Kong Customs yesterday (December 12) seized about 3.8 kilograms of suspected heroin and 6 kilograms of suspected methamphetamine with an estimated total market value of about $5.9 million at Hong Kong International Airport.

     A male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia yesterday afternoon. Upon examination of the luggage of the male passenger, the suspected heroin and the suspected methamphetamine were found inside. The man was then arrested.

     The arrested man, aged 23, has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. He will appear at West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (December 14).

     Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.

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

  

     A female staff member of a beauty parlour was sentenced to 120 hours of community service today (December 13) at Eastern Magistrates' Courts for engaging in a bait and switch commercial practice, in contravention of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO). This is the first successful prosecution against the beauty service industry involving the practice of bait and switch.

     Hong Kong Customs earlier received information alleging that a female staff member of a beauty parlour was suspected of engaging in unfair trade practices in the sale of beauty treatment services.

     After investigation, it was found that the beauty parlour had sold online a beauty treatment service at a specified price. Later when a consumer approached the beauty parlour with the voucher purchased online to redeem the beauty treatment, the female staff member promoted other beauty treatments to the consumer and refused to provide the beauty treatment service specified on the voucher. 

     Customs reminds traders to comply with the requirements of the TDO and consumers to procure services at reputable shops.

     Under the TDO, any trader who offers a service for purchase at a specified price but subsequently, with the intention of promoting a different service, refuses to deliver the service within a reasonable time 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 violations of the TDO to Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).

     The Hong Kong Police Force will organise a series of activities under the theme of “Serve and Protect Hong Kong 175 Years” in celebration of its 175th Anniversary next year.

     The Director of Hong Kong Police College cum the Chairperson of the Steering Committee for the 175th Anniversary of Hong Kong Police Force, Ms Lau Chi-wai today (December 13) said at a press conference that the Hong Kong Police Force 175th Anniversary Open Day will kick start the celebratory activities in January next year. Other events throughout the year will include open days of police stations and JPC@Pat Heung, guided tours at historic police buildings, exhibitions and a charity concert. The Force aimed to showcase its professional performance and commitment through the activities and enhance communication and understanding of the public on policing work.

     To mark the establishment of the Force on May 1, 1844, Hongkong Post will issue “Our Police Force” special stamps on April 30, 2019. The Force will also publish a commemorative book to introduce the history and development of the Force in the past 175 years, Ms Lau added.

     The Deputy Director of Hong Kong Police College, Mr Chan Man-tak, said that the Hong Kong Police Force 175th Anniversary Open Day will be held on January 12, 13, 19 and 20 at the Foundation Training School of the Police College at Wong Chuk Hang. Highlights of the event include parades staged by police elite teams and Studio ImmerXe – a 3D video featuring local history, establishment of the Force and major events over the past decades. A total of 12 000 admission tickets for the open day will be distributed at 15 locations across the territory on December 16.

     The Chief Superintendent of Police (Planning and Development), Mr Ho Wai-hong, said that the Police will organise open days at some police stations with Grade II or Grade III Historic Building status, including The Peak Police Station, Sham Shui Po Police Station and Cheung Chau Police Station. There will also be guided tours to Ping Shan Tang Clan Gallery cum Heritage Trail Visitors Centre (previously the Ping Shan Police Station), Tai Po Junior Police Call Clubhouse (previously the Sheung Shui Police Station), Ta Kwu Ling Police Station and MacIntosh Fort. The activities aimed to enhance public understanding of police history and development, and foster police-community relations.

     For arrangements and details of the Hong Kong Police Force 175th Anniversary celebratory activities, please visit the Police Public Page.