The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (October 23) announced that a prepackaged spinach sample was detected with cadmium, a metallic contaminant, exceeding the legal limit. The CFS is following up on the incident.
      
     Details of the product are as follows:
 
Product name: Baby Spinach
Product brand: Earthbound Farm
Place of origin: US
Net weight: 5 ounces/142 grams per pack
Use-by date: September 29, 2018
 
     "The CFS collected the spinach sample from a supermarket in Ma On Shan for testing under its routine Food Surveillance Programme. The result showed that the sample contained cadmium at a level of 0.36 parts per million (ppm), exceeding the legal limit of 0.1ppm," a CFS spokesman said.
      
     "The CFS has informed the vendor 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 following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

     The agenda of the Legislative Council (LegCo) meeting, scheduled for tomorrow (October 24) at 11am in the Chamber of the LegCo Complex, has been revised.  In addition to the original items, the LegCo President has given permission for Mr Gary Fan to ask an urgent oral question on the urgent measures to prevent and deal with large-scale disruptions of railway services under Rule 24(4) of the Rules of Procedure.
 
     For the latest agenda items of tomorrow's LegCo meeting, please refer to the LegCo Website: www.legco.gov.hk/yr18-19/english/counmtg/agenda/cm20181024.htm.

     The Secretary for the Civil Service (SCS), Mr Joshua Law, today (October 23) presented certificates to 100 civil servants with outstanding work performance and commended them for their dedication in providing quality services to the community.

     The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, extended his congratulations to the award recipients and shared their joy at the cocktail reception held after the ceremony. He also gave full recognition to the civil service colleagues for their hard work and contributions, and encouraged them to continue to serve the public with dedication in different posts.

     Addressing the SCS's Commendation Award Presentation Ceremony 2018, Mr Law said outstanding civil servants in the civil service are not confined to the 100 awardees each year. He said that during his visits to various departments and meetings with many colleagues in the past year, he deeply appreciated colleagues' dedication and devotion to work.

     Mr Law said that the civil service related initiatives in the Policy Address this year range from family-friendly initiatives, medical benefits and pay policy to the development of the civil service college. On the initiative to extend maternity leave for all female employees of the Government to 14 weeks, Mr Law said that, as far as he could remember, it was the first time for the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to launch a welfare initiative for civil servants with immediate effect following the announcement in the Policy Address.

     Mr Law took the opportunity to thank colleagues of all bureaux and departments for their proactive follow-up work after the release of the Policy Address, which included immediately notifying female colleagues who are on or about to begin maternity leave, as well as arranging for staff to take over their duties during the four extra weeks of maternity leave.

     On the big day of the commissioning of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge today, Mr Law thanked colleagues of relevant departments, including the Transport Department, the Highways Department and various disciplined services, for their efforts in the preparation work for the commissioning of the bridge.

     The SCS's Commendation Award Scheme was introduced in 2004 to commend colleagues who have achieved outstanding work performance continuously for at least five years. The Scheme has a meticulous selection process which requires nominations from Permanent Secretaries, departmental heads or heads of grades, and is adjudicated by a committee appointed by the SCS.

     The 100 awardees under the SCS's Commendation Award Scheme this year come from 34 bureaux and departments and 52 grades.

     The Regional Manager of the Airport Services Sub-division under the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department, Mr Leung Tak-man, is one of the civil servants commended this year. He is responsible for the provision of operation and maintenance services for facilities including the airfield lighting system and general pumping facilities. With the advent of Super Typhoon Mangkhut last month, Mr Leung and his team inspected various facilities, drew up a contingency plan in advance and constantly monitored the operation of the relevant systems, and eventually all facilities came through the storm unscathed.

     Another awardee, Senior Specialist of the Education Bureau Miss Doris Lee, believes that every child has his or her own potential and those with special educational needs are no exception. She and her team are devoted to providing early identification and support services for autistic students. Miss Lee said, "Seeing students with special educational needs making progress bit by bit has been the most rewarding part of my work over the years. With proper guidance and nurturing, they can also unleash their potential and shine."

     Having served the Correctional Services Department in different positions during his 30 years of service, Assistant Officer I Mr Cheuk Man-chung is committed to helping persons in custody and rehabilitated offenders turn over a new leaf and become law-abiding citizens. Mr Cheuk said, "We are law enforcement officers as well as rehabilitation facilitators. When I see rehabilitated offenders break free from the cycle of recidivism and re-imprisonment, and develop positive interaction with their families and the people around them, I feel happy for them and proud of my job."

     The Cyber Security Consortium 2018, themed "Cyber Security: A matter of survival in the volatile and ever-changing cyber world" and organised by the Hong Kong Police Force, opened at the Police Headquarters today (October 23).

     The consortium runs from October 23 to 25. Officers of law enforcement agencies (LEAs) from the Mainland, Macau and 17 overseas countries as well as cyber security experts and industry leaders from around the world come together to share their latest knowledge on cyber security and best practices on critical infrastructures protection and incident response.

     Acting Commissioner of Police, Mr Lau Yip-shing, in his welcoming remarks said that "Collaboration", "Strategy" and "Continuous Training and Research" are crucial in the face of increasing cyber security threats. He hoped that the participants could take this opportunity to gain up-to-date knowledge on cyber security, and strengthen collaboration so as to cope with the cyber security challenges ahead.

     Another officiating guest, the Under Secretary for Innovation and Technology, Dr David Chung, in his speech said, "With the rapid development of technology, new cyber security threats and technology crimes have also emerged rapidly. It is therefore important for all of us to take a holistic and proactive approach to protect our digital economy and assets while maintaining an innovative culture and a vibrant society."

     He added that the Government had been strengthening collaboration of cyber security stakeholders to improve the cyber resilience of Hong Kong.

     The consortium has invited a number of guest speakers to share their insights on various topics of cyber security, such as the next generation technology, the revolution of cyber world and cloud security, attracting more than 600 participants.
     
     During the event, officers of the LEAs will meet to explore and share strategies of combatting technology crimes, with a view to strengthening collaboration.

     For details of the consortium, please visit cybersecurityconsortium.net.

  

     Four members from the renovation and transportation sector who were involved in roadside dumping of domestic, commercial and industrial (C&I) and construction waste from vehicles in Tsuen Wan and Kwai Chung were fined a total of $30,400 by Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (October 23) for contravening the Waste Disposal Ordinance (WDO).
      
     During April and May this year, the EPD successfully traced five illegal dumping cases at Lam Tin Street and Kwai Tai Road in Kwai Chung by using evidence captured by the surveillance camera systems installed at fly-tipping black spots. The three cases in Lam Tin Street involved the same person and he was found dumping domestic waste three times in three consecutive weeks. Separately, EPD officers successfully intercepted an illegal dumping case at Ting Kau carpark in Tsuen Wan in May during a blitz inspection. After evidence gathering, the EPD prosecuted the four persons concerned in accordance with the WDO.
      
     The EPD spokesperson reminded members of the renovation, construction and transportation sectors that they should dispose of waste properly in accordance with the law. It is unethical and unlawful to dispose of waste in public places and on the roadside. First-time offenders under the WDO are liable to a maximum fine of $200,000 and six months' imprisonment. The spokesman also encouraged members of the public to make a report to the department if they witness any illegal disposal of waste from vehicles. They can record videos and call the EPD hotline at 2838 3111 to help combat illegal dumping.