â€‹The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (July 27) that a fresh beef sample was found to contain sulphur dioxide, a preservative which is not permitted to be used in fresh meat. The CFS is following up on the case.

     A spokesman for the CFS said, "The CFS collected the fresh beef sample from a stall in Shek Tong Tsui Market for testing under its routine Food Surveillance Programme. The test result showed that the sample contained sulphur dioxide at a level of 10 parts per million. The CFS has informed the vendor concerned of the irregularity. Should there be sufficient evidence, prosecution will be instituted."

     According to the Preservatives in Food Regulation (Cap 132BD), it is an offence to add sulphur dioxide to fresh or chilled meat. The maximum penalty is a $50,000 fine and six months' imprisonment.

     Sulphur dioxide is a preservative which can be used in a variety of foods including dried vegetables, dried fruits, pickled vegetables and salted fish products, but under the Regulation it is not permitted in fresh or chilled meat. Individual meat traders have been found illegally using sulphur dioxide to make meat look fresher. Sulphur dioxide is water soluble, and most of it can be removed through washing and cooking. However, susceptible individuals who are allergic to this preservative may experience breathing difficulties, headache and nausea after consumption.

     The spokesman reminded the food trade to comply with the law and not to sell fresh or chilled meat adulterated with sulphur dioxide. Members of the public should purchase meat from reliable market stalls or fresh provision shops. They should avoid buying or consuming meat which is unnaturally red and maintain a balanced diet to avoid malnutrition or excessive exposure to chemicals from a small range of food items.

     The CFS will continue to follow up on the case and take appropriate action. Investigation is ongoing.

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Wednesday, July 27, 2022 is 101 (up 0.2 against yesterday's index).

     â€‹Hong Kong Customs yesterday (July 26) seized about 17 kilograms of suspected methamphetamine with a total estimated market value of about $7.8 million in Tai Po. A man was arrested.

     During an anti-narcotics operation conducted in Tai Po yesterday afternoon, Customs officers intercepted a 25-year-old man and found that the batch of suspected methamphetamine was concealed inside some tea leaf packaging bags in a suitcase carried by him. The man was then arrested.

     The arrested man has been laid a holding charge with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. He will appear at the Fanling Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (July 28). 

     Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.

     Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).

    

The following is issued on behalf of the Secretariat of the Beat Drugs Fund Association (BDFA):
 
     The Beat Drugs Fund (BDF) Regular Funding Scheme (RFS) is inviting applications for the 2022 Funding Exercise from today (July 27) until September 7.
 
     The BDF RFS aims to promote worthwhile anti-drug projects that can help address drug problems. For the 2022 Funding Exercise of the RFS, projects meeting one or more of the priority areas (at Annex) for treatment and rehabilitation, preventive education and publicity, and research will be accorded priority.
 
     The application form and guide for applicants are available on the website of the Narcotics Division (ND) (www.nd.gov.hk/en/beat_drug_fund_2022.html). The deadline for application for the 2022 Funding Exercise of the BDF RFS is 6pm on September 7. For details of guidelines on the submission of applications, please refer to paragraph 7 of the Guide to the 2022 Funding Exercise of the BDF RFS, or pages 39 and 40 of the application form.
 
     The BDFA will also arrange three briefing cum experience sharing sessions online on August 1, August 4 and August 11 for interested applicants. Details can be found on the website of the ND (www.nd.gov.hk/en/beat_briefing_experience_sharing_sessions.html). Representatives of interested organisations may complete the online enrolment form (forms.gle/9cfhsPxLe9VVqhEC7). Participants will be provided with the link and password of the online briefing cum experience sharing sessions via email nearer the time.
 
     Enquiries are welcome by telephone at 2867 2769 or 2867 2286; or via email to bdf@sb.gov.hk.
 
     Results of applications for the 2022 Funding Exercise are expected to be announced in the first quarter of 2023.

     â€‹The Labour Department has called for registration for a webinar on the Employment Ordinance to be held between 3pm and 5pm on August 22 (Monday).
 
     The main provisions of the Employment Ordinance, including wages, leave, termination of contract and sickness allowance and employment protection under anti-epidemic measures will be introduced.
 
     The real-time webinar will be conducted in Cantonese via Zoom and participation is free of charge.
      
     Interested participants should complete the registration form, which can be downloaded from the Labour Department's website (www.labour.gov.hk), and return it by email by August 10 (Wednesday). The quota will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. For enquiries, please call 2399 2386.