â€‹A spokesman for the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (November 12) said that the department recently conducted a series of blitz operations across the territory targeting hawkers selling food from unknown sources or expired food. Together with some similar enforcement actions carried out in Kwai Chung earlier, a total of 13 persons have been prosecuted to date.

     The FEHD spokesman said that food items, including sushi, bread, canned food, bottled soybean milk, packaged milk and meat, were seized during the latest operations conducted in the Eastern, Kwun Tong and Kowloon City Districts. The FEHD will charge the unlicensed hawkers concerned with illegal hawking, causing obstruction in public places, selling restricted food without permission, or selling expired food.

     In general, FEHD staff will deal with elderly or disabled hawkers in a more lenient manner. However, the FEHD spokesman stressed that if the sale of food from unknown sources or expired food is involved, due to food safety considerations, FEHD staff will take stringent enforcement actions, including immediate arrests without prior warning. Enforcement actions by the FEHD will continue. No one should defy the law.

     The spokesman reminded members of the public that consuming food from unknown sources and expired food, particularly high-risk food such as meat, sashimi and sushi, may pose serious food safety risks. Members of the public should refrain from patronising illegal hawkers when purchasing any food. The public may report hawkers selling suspicious food to the department. Immediate follow-up actions will be taken.

     According to the relevant ordinances, unlicensed hawking is subject to a maximum fine of $10,000 and six months' imprisonment. If unlicensed hawking activities also cause obstruction of passageways, offenders may be fined $25,000 or imprisoned for three months. In addition, any person who sells restricted food (including frozen meat, sashimi and sushi) without permission or sells expired food commits an offence and is liable to a maximum fine of $50,000 and six months' imprisonment upon conviction.

     The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, will depart for Peru in the early hours tomorrow (November 13) to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting and other related activities in Lima. The Director of the Chief Executive's Office, Ms Carol Yip, will join the visit.
      
     This year, APEC has adopted the theme "Empower. Include. Grow", with discussions focused on three priorities, namely, trade and investment for inclusive and interconnected growth, innovation and digitalisation to promote transition to the formal and global economy, and sustainable growth for resilient development.
      
     Apart from attending the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting to be held on November 16 (Lima time), Mr Lee will participate in the APEC Leaders' Informal Dialogue with Guests, the APEC Leaders' Dialogue with the APEC Business Advisory Council, and the Gala Dinner hosted by the organiser for participating leaders on November 15 (Lima time). Mr Lee will also have bilateral meetings with leaders of the other economies to exchange views on issues of mutual interest. The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, will attend the APEC Ministerial Meeting on November 14 (Lima time).
      
     "Hong Kong, as an international trade, financial, and professional services centre, has always adopted a free and open trade policy. Trade between Hong Kong and other APEC member economies accounts for some 80 per cent of Hong Kong's external trade, making them Hong Kong's important trade partners. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government will continue to actively participate in APEC-related matters to promote regional economic development and integration," Mr Lee said.
      
     Mr Lee and the officials will meet with local business leaders in Lima to enhance bilateral trade and business co-operation and promote Hong Kong's advantages and development opportunities in various aspects, telling good stories of Hong Kong.
      
     Mr Lee will return to Hong Kong on November 19. During his absence, the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, will be the Acting Chief Executive. Mr Yau will return to Hong Kong on November 18. During Mr Yau's absence, the Under Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Dr Bernard Chan, will be the Acting Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development.

     The Labour Department (LD) will hold a public talk entitled "Occupational Health of Office Workers Series (II) Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders for Office Workers" on November 20 (Wednesday) to raise office workers' awareness of musculoskeletal disorders of the back and upper limbs arising from prolonged repetitive movements or improper sitting postures. The talk will cover the causes of and preventive measures for musculoskeletal disorders among office workers.
 
     The talk will be given by the LD's occupational hygienist and occupational health nurse at 3.30pm at the Lecture Theatre of the Hong Kong Central Library, 66 Causeway Road, Causeway Bay.
 
     The LD will hold another talk, entitled "Work and Diabetes Mellitus and Hypertension" on November 25 (Monday). The talk will introduce the symptoms and complications of diabetes mellitus and hypertension, with emphasis on health tips for working in a hot environment and performing heavy manual work or irregular hours, to promote the occupational health awareness of workers with diabetes mellitus or hypertension.
 
     The talk will be given by the occupational health nurse at 3.30pm at the Lecture Hall of the Hong Kong Science Museum, 2 Science Museum Road, Tsim Sha Tsui East.

     Both talks will be given in Cantonese. Admission is free but pre-registration is required. Interested participants can register online (www.oshsreg.gov.hk). For enquiries, please call 2852 4040.

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

     Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (November 12) that due to big waves, red flags have been hoisted at Stanley Main Beach and Big Wave Bay Beach in Southern District, Hong Kong Island; and Silverstrand Beach and Clear Water Bay Second Beach in Sai Kung District. Beachgoers are advised not to swim at these beaches.

Attention TV/radio announcers:
 
Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:
 
     The Civil Engineering and Development Department today (November 12) announced that as the Standby Signal No. 1 has been issued by the Hong Kong Observatory, the Chai Wan Public Fill Barging Point has been closed at 8.30am until further notice.