Author Archives: hksar gov

     The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (November 20) that two prepackaged preserved leaf mustard samples were found to contain a preservative, sulphur dioxide, at levels exceeding the legal limit, and the preservative was not declared on the food labels. The CFS is following up on the cases.

     Details of the product are as follows:

Product name: Shantou Pickles
Product brand: Not available in English
Place of Origin: China
Manufacturer: Not available in English
Net weight: 250 grams
Best-before date: December 31, 2019
      
     “The CFS collected the above-mentioned preserved leaf mustard samples from two supermarkets located in Mong Kok and Cheung Sha Wan for testing under its routine Food Surveillance Programme. The test results showed that the samples contained sulphur dioxide at respective levels of 339 parts per million (ppm) and 306 ppm, exceeding the legal limit of 100 ppm. The preservative was also not declared on the food labels of the samples,” the spokesman said.

     The CFS has informed the vendors concerned of the irregularities and they have stopped sale and removed from shelves the affected batch of the product according to the CFS’ instructions. 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 incidents and take appropriate actions. Investigation is ongoing. read more

     Police today (November 20) appealed to the public for information on a man who went missing in Sau Mau Ping.         Cheung Shun-king, aged 77, went missing after he left his resi… read more

     Government House will be open to the public on November 25 (Sunday) from 10am to 5pm.
 
     Visitors will be able to view the well-nurtured flowers and trees in the garden and the landscaped area of Government House, and see the places where the Chief Executive holds official functions and receives dignitaries. There will also be guided tours by the Antiquities and Monuments Office on the history and architectural features of the distinguished building.
 
     “On the open day, visitors will be able to enjoy music performances by the Hong Kong Police Band and student ensembles as well as magic shows. Display boards and QR codes will be set up along the visitors’ route to share details of the history, architecture and important moments of Government House. Visitors may use their smartphones or other mobile devices with suitable software to browse information about Government House,” a government spokesman said.
 
     “For the first time, souvenir chops featuring Government House will be available at specific locations along the visitors’ route. Visitors may bring along paper for stamping.” (A photo of one of the stamps is attached for reference.)
 
     The spokesman added that as a large number of visitors are anticipated on the day, queuing outside Government House may be stopped before 5pm so that those waiting in the queue can be admitted in time.
 
     Visitors will enter the garden through the east gate on Upper Albert Road and leave through the main gate of Government House. The visitors’ routing is one-way only. They are encouraged to arrive by public transport or on foot. Water dispensers will be available at the venue. To care for the environment, no disposable cups will be provided. Visitors are welcome to bring their own bottles.
 
     Visitors may visit the website of Government House (www.ceo.gov.hk/gh/eng) for details of the open day.
 
     Government House is a declared monument under the Antiquities and Monuments Ordinance. read more

     The Under Secretary for Food and Health, Dr Chui Tak-yi, said today (November 20) that the Enhanced Vaccination Subsidy Scheme (VSS) Outreach Vaccination and the School Outreach Vaccination Pilot Programme launched by the Government this year are currently expected to provide vaccination service to a total of 352 primary schools and 128 kindergartens/child care centres, a sharp increase in the number of participating schools from last year.
 
     Dr Chui and the Controller of the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health, Dr Wong Ka-hing, visited St Eugene de Mazenod Oblate Primary School in To Kwa Wan this afternoon to observe 382 pupils of the school receiving seasonal influenza vaccination (SIV) provided by the School of Public Health of the University of Hong Kong (HKU).
 
     Dr Chui said, “HKU’s School of Public Health joined the Enhanced VSS Outreach Vaccination this year to provide outreach vaccination service to schools. We are grateful to the School and other organisations for joining hands with the Government to promote SIV and to enhance the vaccination coverage among pupils.
 
     “The Enhanced VSS Outreach Vaccination provides SIV to pupils with convenience and further simplifies the administrative process of schools. Schools can invite participating doctors from a list published by the CHP to arrange outreach SIV service at their campus without the need to go through a tendering process. No extra service fees will be charged by the doctors to schools or pupils.
 
     “Participation of schools with the support of parents and the medical sector is the key to raising vaccination coverage.
 
     “Members of the public should get prepared for the winter influenza peak season. Vaccination is one of the most effective ways to prevent seasonal influenza and its complications. Based on previous epidemiological and clinical experiences, vaccinating schoolchildren can reduce influenza-related complications, hospitalisations and deaths, and potentially reduce absenteeism and influenza transmission in the community.”
 
     The Government will provide a subsidy of $250 per dose and an additional subsidy of $800 for clinical waste disposal per outreach vaccination activity to doctors participating in the Enhanced VSS Outreach Vaccination.
 
     Dr Wong said, “The CHP had been monitoring the safety and service quality of outreach vaccination activities. Guidelines for enrolled doctors and organisers of outreach activities in non-clinic settings are in place. The CHP’s officers conduct regular site inspections to ensure quality assurance.”
 
     Parents can also bring their kids to private doctors enrolled in the VSS for vaccination if they could not receive vaccination on campus. Moreover, the eligible groups of the VSS this year have been extended to Hong Kong residents aged 50 or above. Enrolled private doctors can provide vaccination at a government subsidy of $210 per dose of SIV to eligible groups either in their clinics, or organise outreach activities.
 
     As it takes about two weeks for antibodies to develop in the body after vaccination, the Government call on parents to arrange vaccination for their children to ensure personal protection before the influenza season arrives. To prevent outbreaks of influenza and other respiratory infections in schools, children with fever and respiratory symptoms should refrain from going to school and seek medical advice.
 

        

    The Secretary for Education, Mr Kevin Yeung, today (November 20) visited Islands District to meet with members of the Islands District Council (IDC) and see some of the social services provided in Tung Chung.

    Accompanied by the District Officer (Islands), Mr Anthony Li, Mr Yeung first visited the IDC to exchange views with its chairman, Mr Chow Yuk-tong, and other members on education and other district issues.

    Then he called at the Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui Tung Chung Integrated Services in Fu Tung Estate, Tung Chung. Established in 1997, the centre aims to serve children, young people, families, elderly people and new immigrants with services including guidance, healthcare, rehabilitation, training, employment and counselling.

    In addition to touring the centre’s facilities and learning more about its services, Mr Yeung also took the opportunity to chat with its clients, including students and parents of students with special educational needs (SEN), about their studies and service requirements.
 
    Mr Yeung said, “The Government attaches great importance to the whole-person development of students. The Chief Executive has proposed in her 2018 Policy Address to provide a new recurrent Life-wide Learning Grant with an annual provision of $900 million, starting from the 2019/20 school year. The Grant will support public sector schools and schools under the Direct Subsidy Scheme to take forward, on the present foundation, life-wide learning with enhanced efforts through organising more out-of-classroom experiential learning activities.
 
     “For example, activities like field studies and workplace experience can enable students to learn in real-life contexts and broaden their horizons. Community service can also help develop students’ care for others and empathy. We trust that the enlivened and enriched learning experiences will not only enhance students’ interest in learning, but also help them develop positive values and attitudes.”

    The Government will enhance its efforts to provide support for students with SEN. Starting from the 2019/20 school year, an additional funding of $800 million per year will be offered to schools so that they can acquire more resources and teaching staff, as well as professionals like educational psychologists and speech therapists, who will provide more comprehensive support services for students with SEN.

    Mr Yeung expressed the hope that with the concerted efforts of the Government, schools and social welfare organisations to improve their services, children and young people with different talents will be better supported to grow healthily, unleash their potential and contribute to the community. read more