The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (November 6) announced that a European lettuce sample was detected with cadmium, a metallic contaminant, exceeding the legal limit. The CFS is following up on the incident.

     "The CFS collected the European lettuce sample at import level for testing under its routine Food Surveillance Programme. The test result showed that the sample contained cadmium at a level of 0.16 parts per million (ppm), exceeding the legal limit of 0.1ppm," a CFS spokesman said.

     "The CFS has informed the importer concerned of the irregularity and is tracing the source of the affected product," the spokesman added.
 
     According to the Food Adulteration (Metallic Contamination) Regulations (Cap 132V), any person who sells food with metallic contamination above the legal limits is liable upon conviction to a fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for six months.

     "Based on the level of cadmium detected in the sample, adverse health effects will not be caused under usual consumption," the spokesman said.

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

     The Gerontech and Innovation Expo cum Summit (GIES) 2018 will be held from November 22 to 25 this year to showcase new technology products developed in various places worldwide. The event will continue to foster Hong Kong's development of innovative technology with a view to tackling population ageing, addressing the needs of persons with disabilities, and enhancing the quality of life of elderly persons and persons with disabilities.
      
     The GIES will be held at Halls 1A and 1B of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. It is co-hosted by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and the Hong Kong Council of Social Service, and co-organised by the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation.
      
     Speaking at a press conference today (November 6), the Assistant Director of Social Welfare (Rehabilitation and Medical Services), Mr Kok Che-leung, said that the Government attaches great importance to the development and application of innovation and technology. The success of the first GIES last year, which attracted over 43 000 visitors and won a positive response from various sectors of society, showed great local interest in gerontechnology and innovative advancements.
      
     Mr Kok noted that the Innovation and Technology Commission has approved funding of about $7.5 million under the Innovation and Technology Fund to support this year's GIES. He said he believed that the event would enhance public knowledge on the application of innovative technology and allow stakeholders from different parts of the world and sectors, including the Government, elderly and rehabilitation service operators, academics, businesses and the general public, to gather for cross-sectoral exchange and collaboration, so as to embrace the opportunities brought about by population ageing in Hong Kong as well as helping persons with disabilities integrate into the community.
      
     Mr Kok said that the $1 billion Innovation and Technology Fund for Application in Elderly and Rehabilitation Care will be launched in December this year to subsidise elderly and rehabilitation service units to procure, rent or trial use technology products, equipment and tools, as well as smart applications and systems, so as to improve the efficiency and quality of caregiving. It was estimated that over 1 260 service units might apply for the subsidy and details of the fund will be announced later.
      
     The GIES will consist of two parts, the Summit and the Expo. The Summit will feature a keynote session and three plenary sessions on November 22 and 24. International, Mainland and local experts and stakeholders will exchange views on issues related to population ageing and gerontechnology. Guest speakers will deliver keynote speeches on policies supporting the application of innovation and technology in elderly and rehabilitation care and the role of different stakeholders in the development of gerontechnology. Plenary sessions will focus on topics including the future of elderly care, promoting ageing in place through adoption of technologies and the use of technologies to enhance the quality of living of persons with disabilities. The Age-Friendly Hong Kong Summit, to be held on November 25, will explore how to promote employment of elderly persons in the technology era.
      
     As regards the Expo, the over 8 000-square-metre exhibition floor will be divided into three thematic pavilions and two interactive zones to showcase around 380 inventions and products from some 130 local and international exhibitors. Some products to be shown at the Expo will be exhibited for the first time in Hong Kong. The Expo, the plenary sessions of the Summit and the workshops will be open to the public for free.
      
     The public may visit the GIES website (gies.hk) for more details.

  

     Special traffic arrangements will be implemented in Happy Valley tomorrow (November 7). The arrangements will come into effect one and a half hours before the start of the first race and will last until the crowds have dispersed after the race meeting.

A. Traffic arrangements before the commencement of the first race

1. Road closure
     
     Southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Queen's Road East and the up-ramp outside Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) will be closed except for vehicles heading for Aberdeen Tunnel.

2. Traffic diversions

– Southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Village Road and the up-ramp outside HKJC will be re-routed one way northbound;
– Vehicles from eastbound Queen's Road East heading for Wan Chai and Happy Valley will be diverted to turn left to Morrison Hill Road;
– Traffic along southbound Morrison Hill Road heading for Happy Valley will be diverted via Sports Road and Wong Nai Chung Road;
– Traffic along Queen's Road East cannot turn right to Wong Nai Chung Road except for vehicles heading to Aberdeen Tunnel;
– Traffic from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Queen's Road East will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from southbound Canal Road flyover to Morrison Hill Road to turn right at the junction of Wong Nai Chung Road and Queen's Road East; and
– Traffic from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Happy Valley or Racecourse will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from southbound Canal Road flyover to Canal Road East, southbound Morrison Hill Road, Sports Road and Wong Nai Chung Road.

B. Traffic arrangements before the conclusion of race meeting

1. Road closure

     The following roads will be closed from 35 minutes before the start of the last race:

– The up-ramp on Wong Nai Chung Road outside HKJC leading to Aberdeen Tunnel;
– Southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Queen's Road East and the up-ramp leading to Aberdeen Tunnel;
– Southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Village Road and the Public Stands of HKJC;
– Westbound Leighton Road between Wong Nai Chung Road and Canal Road East; and
– Southbound Morrison Hill Road between Leighton Road and Queen's Road East.

     In addition, southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between the up-ramp leading to Aberdeen Tunnel and the Public Stands of HKJC will be closed from about 10 minutes before the start of the last race.

2. Traffic diversions

     The following traffic arrangements will be implemented from 35 minutes before the start of the last race:

– Eastbound Queen's Road East at its junction with Morrison Hill Road will be reduced to one-lane traffic heading for northbound Canal Road flyover;
– Vehicles from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Wan Chai will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from Canal Road East, U-turn slip road beneath Canal Road flyover, Canal Road West and Hennessy Road;
– Vehicles from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Happy Valley will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from Canal Road East, eastbound Leighton Road and Wong Nai Chung Road;
– Traffic on southbound Morrison Hill Road will be diverted to turn left to eastbound Leighton Road;
– Traffic along southbound Morrison Hill Road heading for Happy Valley will be diverted via eastbound Leighton Road and Wong Nai Chung Road; and
– Traffic along westbound Leighton Road will be diverted to Wong Nai Chung Road.

C. Learner drivers prohibition

     Learner drivers will be prohibited to turn left from Caroline Hill Road to Leighton Road between one and a half hours before the start of the first race and one hour after the last race. In addition, learner drivers will be prohibited from accessing the following roads within the above period of time:

– Shan Kwong Road between Yik Yam Street and Wong Nai Chung Road;
– Village Road between its upper and lower junctions with Shan Kwong Road;
– Percival Street between Hennessy Road and Leighton Road;
– Canal Road East; and
– The service road leading from Gloucester Road to Canal Road flyover.

D. Suspension of parking spaces

     Parking spaces on southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Sports Road and Blue Pool Road will be suspended from 11am to 7pm during day racing, from 4.30pm to 11.59pm during evening racing, and from 5pm to 11.59pm during night racing.

     Any vehicles found illegally parked within the precincts of the above affected areas will be towed away without prior notice.

     Actual implementation of road closure and traffic diversion will be made by the Police at the time depending on traffic conditions in the areas. Motorists should exercise tolerance and patience, and follow the instructions of Police on site.

     Yee Chung Logistic Company Limited and Hung Hing Electronic Commerce Limited illegally imported and stored waste printed circuit boards (PCBs), which are classified as chemical waste, respectively. They were convicted and fined a total of $71,500 at Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (November 6) for contravening the Waste Disposal Ordinance (WDO) and the Waste Disposal (Chemical Waste) (General) Regulation.
      
     A spokesman for the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) said that during a blitz operation this April, EPD officers raided a recycling site at Shek Wu Wai in Yuen Long which illegally stored waste PCBs. The waste PCBs, which are classified as chemical waste, were placed at the open space of the recycling site with a total weight of about 6 tonnes and an estimated total export value of $600,000. Following the clues obtained from the investigation, EPD found that the importer concerned illegally imported the chemical waste from Korea into Hong Kong without a permit. The importer also transported the chemical waste without a waste collector licence. The EPD subsequently prosecuted the importer, Yee Chung Logistic Company Limited, and the recycler, Hung Hing Electronic Commerce Limited, in accordance with the WDO and the Regulation after evidence gathering.
      
     The spokesman stressed that dismantled PCBs, LCD monitors and cathode ray tubes are hazardous e-waste, containing heavy metals and other toxic substances. They are classified as chemical waste and must be properly handled. Otherwise, it will pollute the environment and pose a risk to the health of relevant trade practitioners and the general public. The EPD will continue to combat illegal collection, storage, handling or import of hazardous e-waste. First-time offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $200,000 and six months' imprisonment. For subsequent offences, offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $500,000 and two years' imprisonment.

     Members of the public may visit the EPD's website for more information about the control of chemical waste: www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/waste/guide_ref/guide_cwc.html.

    

     The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) and the Guangzhou Municipal Human Resources and Social Security Bureau (HRSSGZ) today (November 6) signed a memorandum of co-operation to enhance collaboration in the development of electrical and mechanical (E&M) talent in both places.
 
     Witnessed by the Secretary for Development, Mr Michael Wong; the Secretary of Party Leadership and Director of the HRSSGZ, Mr Guo Zhiyong; and the Director of Electrical and Mechanical Services, Mr Alfred Sit, the memorandum was signed by the Deputy Director of Electrical and Mechanical Services, Mr Pang Yiu-hung, and the Deputy Director of the HRSSGZ, Mr He Shilin. The area of collaboration includes experience-sharing platforms, internship opportunities and training courses on advanced technology development and applications for the E&M sector in Hong Kong and Guangzhou.
 
     Addressing the signing ceremony, Mr Sit said he was delighted the EMSD and its counterpart in Guangzhou had accomplished the co-operation agreement. The memorandum will facilitate more in-depth and extensive co-operation in personnel training in the area of refrigeration and air conditioning, mechatronics, lift maintenance, new energy applications and vehicle maintenance. He also expressed the hope that the professional exchanges will enhance the service quality and standards of the E&M sector and promote sustainable development and energy saving in both Hong Kong and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
 
     This is the second memorandum of co-operation signed between the EMSD and relevant departments in Guangzhou on strengthening collaboration in training of E&M personnel, after the agreement reached with the Guangzhou Industry and Trade Technician College in June this year.