The Signature Project Scheme in Sha Tin undertaken by the Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) has been presented with a Highly Commended Award in the New Engineering Contract (NEC) Project of the Year categ… read more
The Department of Health (DH) is investigating a case of suspected mould contamination of a pharmaceutical product named Enzyplex (Hong Kong Registration Number: HK-06544) following a report from Queen Mary Hospital today (June 21).
​ The DH’s Drug Office has immediately collected samples of the product from various sources for further analysis to confirm whether the product exceeds the pharmacopoeial standards on mould and yeast content. The analysis usually takes five to seven days. The DH will announce the testing results and take further actions as necessary after the analysis is completed.
​ Enzyplex tablet, containing vitamins and digestive enzymes, is an over-the-counter medicine for digestive disorders. According to the local supplier Unam Corporation Ltd, the product was manufactured in Indonesia and imported to Hong Kong. It was supplied to the Hospital Authority, DH clinics, local private doctors, pharmacies and medicine stores, and also re-exported to Macao.
​ The DH has also instructed Unam to ask the manufacturer in Indonesia to conduct an investigation and submit a report.
​ People who are consuming the product, or in doubt or feeling unwell after consumption, should seek advice from healthcare professionals. read more
​In response to media enquiries on a convicted case today (June 21) involving the use of a private car for illegal carriage of passengers for hire or reward, a spokesman for the Transport Department (TD) gave the following reply:
The Government has been paying close attention to the use of private cars or light goods vehicles (LGVs) for illegal carriage of passengers for hire or reward (commonly known as “pak pai” service) and will tackle such offences by taking stringent enforcement actions. The TD has been in close liaison with the Police and will refer suspected cases to the Police for follow-up actions.
Subsections (3), (5) and (10)(a) of section 52 and Schedule 4 of the Road Traffic Ordinance (Cap 374) stipulate that an offender who uses a private car or LGV for the illegal carriage of passengers for hire or reward, or who solicits or attempts to solicit any person to travel in such a vehicle, is liable to a fine of $5,000 and three months’ imprisonment on the first conviction. The licence of the subject vehicle may also be suspended for three months. On the second or subsequent conviction, the person is liable to a fine of $10,000 and six months’ imprisonment. For a subsequent offence in respect of the same motor vehicle, the licence of that vehicle may be suspended for six months.
As regards today’s case in which a driver provided carriage service through the “Uber” mobile application and was fined $3,000 by the court for illegal carriage of passengers for hire or reward, the TD will follow the established procedures to deliver a notice of intention to suspend the licence of the motor vehicle to the registered owner pursuant to section 90 of the Road Traffic Ordinance.
The TD will proceed to arrange suspension of the vehicle licence in accordance with the relevant legislative requirements and direct the registered owner to deliver the motor vehicle into the custody of the department until the expiry of the suspension period.
The TD will continue to support the Police for their enforcement actions in combating illegal carriage of passengers. From 2015 to the second quarter of 2018, a total of 46 vehicles have been impounded by the TD with the vehicle licences suspended due to convictions for the offence of illegal carriage of passengers for hire or reward. read more
The winners of the Best Landscape Award for Private Property Development 2018 were announced at a prize presentation ceremony today (June 21). Thirteen private properties with outstanding landscape design and quality horticultu… read more
Hong Kong Customs today (June 21) alerted members of the public to the potential hazards posed by a type of shovel and fork toy set. They are advised not to let children play with these toys to ensure their safety. Test results indicated that the shovel could pose a suffocation risk to children.
Customs officers earlier conducted a test-buy operation and purchased the toy set from a department store for safety testing by the Government Laboratory. Results revealed that the design of the shovel of the toy set failed to meet the requirements as specified in related toy standards, and children could easily cover their mouth and nose with the shovel tightly, posing a risk of suffocation.
Customs officers subsequently seized the above-mentioned toy sets from the department store and its warehouse. A total of 193 sets were seized. Investigation is ongoing.
Under the Toys and Children’s Products Safety Ordinance, it is an offence to manufacture, import or supply unsafe toys or children’s products. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $100,000 and imprisonment for one year on first conviction, and a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for two years on subsequent conviction.
Members of the public may report information relating to suspected unsafe toys or children’s products to the Customs 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).
