The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department said today (July 10) that the Centre has been following up on the incident of prepackaged frozen vegetable products produced by Greenyard Frozen suspected to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes and has earlier instructed the local importers concerned to stop sale and recall several kinds of affected products. The CFS has conducted further investigation according to the updated list of recall products provided by the United Kingdom Food Standards Agency and the Food Safety Authority of Ireland and found that the following affected frozen vegetable products have also been imported into Hong Kong. The CFS urged members of the public not to consume the affected products. The trade should also stop using or selling the products concerned immediately if they possess them.

     Details of the products are as follows:

1. Product name: Sainsbury's Carrots, Broccoli and Sweetcorn Microwaveable steam bags
Packing: Four small packs of 135 grams per pack
Importer: The Dairy Farm Company Limited
Best-before date: All codes to January 2020 inclusive

2. Product name: Growers Pride Supersweet Sweetcorn
Packing: 450g per pack
Importer: PARKnSHOP (HK) Limited
Best-before date: All codes to July 2021 inclusive

3. Product name: Tesco Mixed Vegetables with Red Peppers
Packing: 1 kilogram per pack
Importer: China Resources Vanguard (HK) Company Limited
Best-before date: All codes to January 2020 inclusive

4. Product name: Tesco Classic Mixed Vegetables (Resealable)
Packing: 1kg per pack
Importer: China Resources Vanguard (HK) Company Limited
Best-before date: All codes to January 2020 inclusive

     "The CFS' further investigation found that three local importers had imported the above affected products into Hong Kong for sale at their chain supermarkets. The importers concerned have already stopped sale and removed from shelves the affected products and initiated a recall according to the CFS' instructions. Members of the public may call the hotlines of the importers concerned, the Dairy Farm Company Limited at 2299 1133, PARKnSHOP (HK) Limited at 2606 8658 and China Resources Vanguard (HK) Company Limited at 2586 3000, during office hours for enquiries about the recall," a CFS spokesman said.

     In addition, the Centre has received a notification from the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) of the European Commission that frozen vegetable products produced by Greenyard Frozen are also being recalled due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. According to the information provided by the RASFF, a local importer had imported an affected batch of product. The CFS' investigation confirmed that the product concerned had been imported and sold out.

     Product details are as follows:

Product name: Pinguin Sweet Corn Kernels
Packing: 2.5kg per pack
Importer: Buah Buahan Ltd
Best-before date: June 2, 2019

     "Listeria monocytogenes can be easily destroyed by cooking but can survive and multiply at refrigerator temperature. Most healthy individuals do not develop symptoms or only have mild symptoms like fever, muscle pain, headache, nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea when infected. However, severe complications such as septicemia, meningitis or even death may occur in newborns, the elderly and those with a weaker immune system. Although infected pregnant women may just experience mild symptoms generally, the infection of Listeria monocytogenes may cause miscarriage, infant death, preterm birth, or severe infection in newborns," the spokesman said.

     The spokesman urged consumers not to consume the affected products if they have bought any. The trade should also stop using or selling the products concerned immediately if they possess them.

     The CFS will alert the trade to the incident, and will continue to monitor the cases and take appropriate follow-up action, including making timely announcements on the latest information of the products which need to be recalled. Investigation is ongoing.

     In view of the judgment handed down by the Court of Final Appeal (CFA) in QT v Director of Immigration (FACV No. 1 of 2018) on July 4, 2018, the Government is now reviewing the dependant immigration policy to give effect to the judgment. Pending completion of the said policy review, the Immigration Department (ImmD) will continue to implement its interim arrangement for applications from a party in a foreign legally recognised same-sex relationship with eligible sponsors for entry for residence as dependants in Hong Kong.   
 
     Under the prevailing dependant immigration policy, the Director of Immigration (Director) will favourably consider an application from the spouse of an eligible sponsor for entry for residence as a dependant in Hong Kong if the spouse meets the normal immigration requirements and the following specific eligibility criteria:
 
(i) there is reasonable proof of a genuine relationship between the applicant and the sponsor;
(ii) there is no known record to the detriment of the applicant; and
(iii) the sponsor is able to support the applicant's living at a standard well above the subsistence level and provide him/her with suitable accommodation in Hong Kong.
 
     The Director has all along adopted the meaning of "spouse" as a party to a marriage consisting of one man and one woman as recognised by the laws of Hong Kong.
 
     Under the interim arrangement, subject to the meeting of normal immigration requirements and the above specific eligibility criteria, the Director will grant a party in a foreign legally recognised same-sex relationship with eligible sponsors permission to remain in Hong Kong for 12 months or in line with their sponsors' limit of stay (if applicable), whichever is shorter, subject to a time limitation only without other conditions of stay. During this period, the concerned party may take up employment, establish or join in business or study in Hong Kong without the need for prior permission from the Director.
 
     The above interim measure has been put in place by ImmD after the Court of Appeal's judgment allowing the Applicant QT's appeal and pending the Director's then appeal to the CFA. It does not pre-empt the way forward of the said policy review and should not be regarded as equivalent to giving legal recognition to same-sex relationships under the laws of Hong Kong. The Government respects the CFA's decision on the QT case and will strive to complete the policy review within reasonable time.
 
     In QT v Director of Immigration, the Applicant, QT, lodged an application for judicial review against the Director's decision of refusing her application for entry for residence in Hong Kong as a dependant of her same-sex civil partner on the grounds that she was not a "spouse" under the prevailing dependant immigration policy. The Court of First Instance (CFI) dismissed the application for judicial review, but the Court of Appeal reversed the CFI's judgment on appeal. On July 4, 2018, the CFA dismissed the Director's appeal.

     The Secretary for Education, Mr Kevin Yeung, today (July 10) expressed sorrow over the passing of Dr Tin Ka-ping and deep condolences to his family.

     Mr Yeung said, "Over the past decades, Dr Tin had exhibited extensive generosity in setting up the Tin Ka Ping Foundation and donating to various charitable causes to take care of people in need. Members of the education sector have been moved by his particular attention to investment in education. Beneficiaries include educational institutions ranging from kindergartens to post-secondary institutions. Numerous students have also benefited from various scholarship and student exchange programmes."
   
     Mr Yeung said he believed that the philanthropist, who had made enormous contributions to the community, will be remembered fondly by Hong Kong people.

     The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, today (July 10) expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Dr Tin Ka-ping.

     "A renowned entrepreneur and philanthropist, Dr Tin showed admirable lifelong devotion in contributing to society and the country. I was grieved to learn of his passing.

     "Dr Tin was a leader in the chemical industry sector, making significant contributions to the industrial development in Hong Kong. He had also been devoted completely to philanthropy over the past few decades with the establishment of the Tin Ka Ping Foundation in 1982, donating generously in various projects in Hong Kong and the Mainland covering education, culture, medical services, infrastructure and social welfare services. Attaching great importance to investment in education, Dr Tin was held in high regard for his tireless efforts in promoting learning and teaching. He was awarded the Grand Bauhinia Medal in 2010.

     "On behalf of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, I would like to extend my deepest condolences to his family," Mrs Lam said.

     Police are investigating a fatal traffic accident in Yuen Long this afternoon (July 10) in which a 52-year-old woman died.
      
     At about 2.51pm, a light goods vehicle (LGV) driven by a 27-year-old man was travelling along Yuen Long Long Yip Street towards Kowloon. When approaching near Po Yip Street, it reportedly knocked down the 52-year-old female cyclist who was crossing the road.
                                                                                                                                                                    
     Sustaining serious head injuries, the woman was rushed to Pok Oi Hospital in unconscious state. She was certified dead at 3.35pm.
      
     The LGV driver was arrested for dangerous driving causing death and is being detained for further enquiries.
      
     Investigation by the Special Investigation Team of Traffic, New Territories North is underway.
      
     Anyone who witnessed the accident or has any information to offer is urged to contact the investigating officers at 3661 3800 or 3661 3858.