The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (May 14) called on the public to stop consuming loose-pack porcini mushrooms sold at a shop in Tuen Mun as the mushrooms concerned were suspected to contain inedible or poisonous species of mushrooms.
 
     A CFS spokesman said, "The CFS is following up on a food poisoning case suspected to have been caused by consuming porcini mushrooms, which was referred earlier by the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health. Investigations showed that the porcini mushrooms concerned were purchased from a shop at Tsing Ho Square, Tuen Mun. The shop has stopped sale of the product and initiated a recall according to the CFS' instructions. Members of the public may call the shop at 9330 0850 for enquiries during office hours."
 
     The CFS appealed to members of the public who had purchased porcini mushrooms from the above-mentioned shop earlier not to consume them. If symptoms develop after consuming the food, they should seek medical advice as soon as possible.
 
     Mushroom poisoning is generally acute and manifested by a variety of symptoms, depending on the species and the amount consumed. The incubation period is usually short. Gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain are the commonest symptoms. Sometimes distinguishing features such as extreme thirst, profuse sweating, hallucination, coma and other neurological symptoms may occur.
 
     Consumers are advised to heed the following points when buying and eating fresh mushrooms:
 
* Do not buy mushroom products which are suspected of having a mix of unknown species;
* Do not buy mushrooms which look unhygienic (with growing substrates left with the product) or show signs of spoilage (with coloured spots/abnormal smell/slime, etc);
* Wash and cook mushrooms thoroughly before consumption; and
* Seek medical treatment immediately if mushroom poisoning is suspected.
 
     The CFS will continue to follow up on the case and take appropriate action to safeguard food safety and public health. Investigation is ongoing.

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

     The Legislative Council (LegCo) will hold a meeting on Wednesday (May 16) at 11am in the Chamber of the LegCo Complex. During the meeting, Members will resume the debate on a motion under Rule 49B(1A) of the Rules of Procedure, moved by Mr Paul Tse at the Council meeting of December 14, 2016. The motion states: "That this Council, in accordance with Article 79(7) of the Basic Law, censures Dr Cheng Chung-tai for misbehaviour (details as particularised in the Schedule to this motion)."

     On other Members' motions, Dr Fernando Cheung will move a motion on the report of the Joint Subcommittee on Long-term Care Policy. The motion states: "That this Council notes the Report of the Joint Subcommittee on Long-term Care Policy."

     Ms Tanya Chan will move a motion on not forgetting the June 4 incident. The motion states: "That this Council urges that: the June 4 incident be not forgotten and the 1989 pro-democracy movement be vindicated."

     Mr Chan Hak-kan will move a motion for the adjournment of the Council under Rule 16(4) of the Rules of Procedure. The motion states: "That this Council do now adjourn for the purpose of debating the following issue: the impact on the interests of Hong Kong and the country arising from the remarks made by Mr Benny Tai Yiu-ting, one of the initiators of the 'Occupy Central' movement, at a forum held in Taiwan in March 2018 that Hong Kong could consider becoming an independent state."

     Meanwhile, Ms Starry Lee will move a motion under Rule 49E(2) of the Rules of Procedure. The motion states: "That this Council takes note of Report No. 12/17-18 of the House Committee laid on the Table of the Council on May 9, 2018 in relation to the Rating (Exemption) Order 2018."

     On Government bills, the Second Reading debate on the Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill 2018 and the Employment (Amendment) Bill 2017 will resume. If the Bills are supported by Members and receive their Second Reading, they will stand committed to the committee of the whole Council. After the committee of the whole Council has completed consideration of the Bills and their reports are adopted by the Council, the Bills will be set down for the Third Reading.

     On Members' bills, the Second Reading debate on the Sailors Home and Missions to Seamen Incorporation (Amendment) Bill 2018 will also resume. If the Bill is supported by Members and receives its Second Reading, it will stand committed to the committee of the whole Council. After the committee of the whole Council has completed consideration of the Bill and its report is adopted by the Council, the Bill will be set down for the Third Reading.

     During the meeting, the Chief Secretary for Administration will present "The Government Minute in response to the Report of the Public Accounts Committee No. 69 of February 2018" and address the Council.

     Members will also ask the Government 22 questions on various policy areas, six of which require oral replies. 

     The agenda of the above meeting can be obtained via the LegCo website (www.legco.gov.hk). Please note that the agenda is subject to change, and the latest information about the agenda could be found on the LegCo website.

     Members of the public are welcome to observe the proceedings of the meeting from the public galleries of the Chamber of the LegCo Complex. They may reserve seats by calling 3919 3399 during office hours.  Members of the public can also watch or listen to the meeting via the "Webcast" system on the LegCo website.

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (May 14) investigating a food poisoning case involving three persons who had eaten porcini mushrooms.

     The three patients, a man and two women, aged 22 to 50, presented with vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain and nausea around four hours after having dinner with porcini mushrooms purchased from a store in Tuen Mun on April 27 and cooked at home that evening. All patients were admitted to the Accident and Emergency Department of Tuen Mun Hospital on April 28, have been in a stable condition and were discharged on the same day upon management.

     The CHP has also alerted the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department to the incident and the investigations are ongoing.

     "Mushroom poisoning is generally acute. Common presentations include gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain appearing shortly after ingestion. Depending on the mushroom species, patients may also have other symptoms like profuse sweating, hallucination, coma or other neurological symptoms, as well as liver failure. Death may result in severe cases," a CHP spokesman said.

     "We advise the public to buy mushrooms from reputable and reliable suppliers and not to buy mushroom products which may be mixed with unknown species. Members of the public should not pick wild mushrooms for consumption as it is difficult to distinguish edible mushroom species from inedible ones. Mixing of edible species with inedible or poisonous species of mushroom will not dilute toxicity. Cooking in most cases does not destroy toxicity," the spokesman added.

     "If mushroom poisoning is suspected, the patient should seek immediate medical attention and bring along any available remnant for identification," the spokesman said.

     A team of eight secondary students representing Hong Kong at the 19th Asian Physics Olympiad (APhO) performed outstandingly, winning one gold, one silver and three bronze medals and an honourable mention.
           
     The APhO aims to promote physics education and to nurture and inspire teenagers who are highly talented in physics. This year, the APhO was held from May 6 to May 12 in Hanoi, Vietnam. One hundred and eighty-eight students from 25 countries or regions with outstanding abilities in physics participated in the event.
           
     Gaurav Arya (King George V School) won a gold medal in the competition and Chau Chun-wang (St Margaret's Co-educational English Secondary and Primary School) won a silver medal. The bronze medalists were Lau Sze-chun (Diocesan Boys' School), Alvin Tse Cheuk-hin (Yew Chung International School – Secondary) and Li Tat-sang (Sing Yin Secondary School). Sean Mann (Diocesan Boys’ School) received an honourable mention.
           
     The Secretary for Education, Mr Kevin Yeung, congratulated the Hong Kong team today (May 14) on their impressive results. He said, "The remarkable results achieved by the Hong Kong team this year demonstrate our students' great potential in physics. The EDB will continue to nurture more students with an interest and talent in STEM and support STEM-related activities, so as to enrich the talent pool of Hong Kong and enhance the competitiveness of Hong Kong in the international arena."
           
     The members of the Hong Kong team, which was fully funded by the EDB, had earlier distinguished themselves in the Hong Kong Physics Olympiad and subsequently received training under the Physics Enhancement Programme arranged by the Hong Kong Academy for Gifted Education (HKAGE) and the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. These students were then selected to take part in the APhO this year.  
           
     The EDB has always worked in close collaboration with relevant parties in grooming students with high abilities in STEM. The EDB also organises local STEM-related competitions and learning activities every year to help identify promising students, while the HKAGE provides systematic and advanced training programmes to enhance the achievement of these students. The success of the Hong Kong team this year is the fruit of collaboration among different parties in nurturing high-potential students in Hong Kong. The Government will continue to collaborate with various stakeholders to further promote STEM education and identify more talents.

  

     To enhance the public's knowledge of water sport safety, the Marine Department (MD), the Hong Kong Police Force and the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) held the 2018 Safety Afloat Educational Seminar at the Hong Kong Space Museum today (May 14). The Assistant Director of Marine (Port Control), Mr Lai Chi-tung, spoke at the seminar and reminded the public to be well prepared before participating in water sport activities to ensure safety.
 
     The MD reminded coxswains and vessel operators to make appropriate preparations before setting sail for water sport activities. They should plan their voyages and consider whether the vessel's structure is suitable for the water area and the activity to be conducted. There should be enough experienced crew members on board to guide passengers to follow safety instructions when engaging in water sport activities. Coxswains and vessel operators should also familiarise themselves with all the safety precautions and contingency measures, and check the vessel's structure and its safety equipment on board before setting sail, and know the location of the equipment and how to use it. They should also collect sufficient weather forecast information for the whole voyage and take heed of weather conditions or warnings.
 
     Coxswains operating pleasure vessels should navigate carefully when entering shallow waters, speed-restricted zones or waters with others taking part in water sport activities. Vessel operators should take appropriate safety measures to avoid any possible risk if they see other water sport activities nearby.
 
     The MD has implemented new regulation since last August on small open cruisers by introducing conditions in the Operating Licences of these vessels to impose restrictions on their operating area. The MD urges the owners to renew the licences of their vessels as soon as possible.
 
     Meanwhile, swimmers should swim at beaches with lifeguards on duty, stay inside the beach area and avoid swimming near anchored vessels. They should understand their physical abilities, take care of their children and avoid swimming alone or away from companions. They should also refrain from swimming right after consumption of food, alcohol or drugs. To prevent accidents, divers shall observe relevant guidelines and maintain safety awareness at all times. In particular, while surfacing, special attention should be paid to the environment and movement of vessels in the vicinity. Proper buoyant signals should be displayed.
 
     As the typhoon season is approaching, the MD urges owners, coxswain and persons-in-charge of local vessels, including pleasure vessels, to remain vigilant to the threat of typhoons. Before the onset of a typhoon, appropriate precautionary measures must be taken to ensure the safety of persons on board and vessels.
 
     The MD will continue its promotional and educational work to enhance the safety awareness of the public. To further enhance public awareness in the use of local vessels during water sport activities, the MD has produced promotional leaflets to provide safety advice concerning various water sport activities.
 
     Officers of the Marine Police and the MD will step up their patrol activities in speed-restricted zones, waters in the vicinity of popular beaches and water sport sites, and will take action against any illegal or reckless boating activities. The LCSD lifeguards will also keep an eye out for boating activities at beaches and the adjacent waters. They will alert officers of the MD and the Marine Police to take law enforcement action against offenders when necessary.

     The MD hopes that the industry and the public will co-operate in promoting water sport safety, so that everyone can enjoy pleasant leisure activities.