The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (November 20) said that the trade should stop sale of three kinds of milk and milk beverage products imported from Indonesia, regardless of batches, as the CFS suspected that the production plant indicated on the food labels of the products concerned was not their place of manufacture in Indonesia. The CFS also advised the public to stop consuming the products concerned.
 
     Details of the products are as follows:
 
(1) Product name: UHT Full Cream Milk
Brand: Greenfields
Importer: AustAsia Food HK Limited
Net volume: 1 litre per pack
 
(2) Product name: UHT High Calcium Skimmed Milk
Brand: Greenfields
Importer: AustAsia Food HK Limited
Net volume: 1 litre per pack
 
(3) Product name: UHT High Calcium Low Fat Milk Beverage
Brand: Greenfields
Importer: AustAsia Food HK Limited
Net volume: 1 litre per pack
 
     A CFS spokesman said, "Upon receiving intelligence, the CFS initiated an investigation immediately. Preliminary investigation showed that the production plant indicated on the food labels of the above-mentioned products ceased production of those products at the end of March last year. Some of the products were suspected to be manufactured by a production plant which had not been given import permission by the Director of the Food and Environmental Hygiene (DFEH). The CFS has therefore instructed the importer to recall the products concerned. Members of the public can call the importer's hotline at 2132 5500 during office hours to enquire about the recall. Furthermore, the CFS has taken samples of the products concerned for microbiological and chemical tests and the results were all satisfactory."
 
     According to Section 61 of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance (Cap 132), if any person falsely describes food or misleads as to the nature, substance or quality of the food on a label of the food sold by him or her, he or she shall be guilty of an offence and liable to a maximum fine of $50,000 and six months' imprisonment upon conviction. In addition, according to the Milk Regulation (Cap 132AQ), any person who sells any milk or milk beverage imported into Hong Kong from a source of manufacture other than a source of manufacture which has been approved by the DFEH shall commit an offence. The maximum penalty is a fine of $10,000 and imprisonment for three months upon conviction.
 
     The CFS has notified the Indonesian authorities, alerted the trade to the incident and referred the case to law enforcement agencies for follow-up in parallel. The CFS has also revoked the letter of permission for the importer to import the products concerned. The CFS will continue to follow up and take appropriate action. Investigation is ongoing.

     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.

     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 residence in Upper Ngau Tau Kok Estate on November 18 afternoon. His family made a report to Police on the same day.

     He is about 1.6 metres tall, 50 kilograms in weight, humpbacked and of thin build. He has a pointed face with yellow complexion and short straight grey hair. He was last seen wearing a pair of black-rimmed glasses, light green long-sleeved jacket, blue trousers and brown slippers.

     Anyone who knows the whereabouts of the missing man or may have seen him is urged to contact the Regional Missing Person Unit of Kowloon East on 3661 0316 or 9886 0060 or email to rmpu-ke-2@police.gov.hk, or contact any police station.

  

     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.

     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.