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     The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (January 28) released the findings of its food safety report for last month. The results of about 6 700 food samples tested were found to be satisfactory except for eight unsatisfactory samples which were announced earlier. The overall satisfactory rate was 99.9 per cent.

     A CFS spokesman said about 2 400 food samples were collected for microbiological tests, and about 4 300 samples were taken for chemical and radiation level tests.

     The microbiological tests covered pathogens and hygiene indicators; the chemical tests included testing for pesticides, preservatives, metallic contaminants, colouring matters, veterinary drug residues and others; and the radiation level tests included testing for radioactive caesium and iodine in samples collected from imported food from different regions.

     The samples comprised about 1 800 samples of vegetables and fruit and their products; about 400 samples of cereals, grains and their products; about 900 samples of meat and poultry and their products; about 900 samples of milk, milk products and frozen confections; about 800 samples of aquatic and related products; and about 1 900 samples of other food commodities (including beverages, bakery products and snacks).

     The eight unsatisfactory samples comprised a frozen snake meat sample found with a metallic contaminant exceeding the legal limit, two prepackaged candied winter melon samples and a dried soybean curd sample detected with non-permitted preservatives, three ice cream samples detected with coliform bacteria and total bacterial counts exceeding the legal limits, and a soft ice cream sample detected with a total bacterial count exceeding the legal limit.

     The CFS has taken follow-up actions on the above-mentioned unsatisfactory samples including informing the vendors concerned of the test results, instructing them to stop selling the affected food items and tracing the sources of the food items in question.

     The spokesman reminded the food trade to ensure that food is fit for human consumption and meets legal requirements. Consumers should patronise reliable shops when buying food and maintain a balanced diet to minimise food risks.

     Separately, in response to the Japanese Government’s discharge of nuclear-contaminated water at the Fukushima Nuclear Power Station, the CFS will continue enhancing the testing on imported Japanese food, and make reference to the risk assessment results to adjust relevant surveillance work in a timely manner. The CFS will announce every working day on its dedicated webpage (www.cfs.gov.hk/english/programme/programme_rafs/daily_japan_nuclear_incidents.html) the radiological test results of  samples of food imported from Japan, with a view to enabling the trade and members of the public to have a better grasp of the latest safety information.

Summary of food surveillance programme for 2024
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     Concluding the food surveillance programme for 2024, the spokesman said that apart from routine food surveillance, the CFS also conducted a number of targeted, seasonal and popular food surveillance projects.

     “About 66 900 samples were tested by the CFS last year. The overall satisfactory rate was 99.8 per cent, which was comparable to the results in recent years. This indicates that food safety has been maintained at a high standard in Hong Kong,” he said.

     “The exceedances or breaches for most of the unsatisfactory samples were not serious and would not pose adverse health effects to the general public. For individual food items with unsatisfactory test results, the CFS has taken prompt and effective risk management actions to safeguard public health,” he said.

     He added that in planning the food surveillance programme, the CFS will take into consideration a number of factors such as the food consumption level and the risk of the food concerned in deciding on the number of samples to be tested and the frequency of sampling as well as the testing parameters. In addition, the CFS will also suitably adjust its food surveillance programme and strengthen relevant testing with regard to local and overseas food incidents as well as past surveillance data, in particular breaches of regulatory requirements that occurred more frequently, so as to safeguard food safety in Hong Kong. read more

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) today (January 28) appealed to members of the public to keep places clean and mind their safety while watching the Chinese New Year Fireworks Display on January 30 (the second day of the Chinese New Year).
 
     The LCSD, together with the law enforcement teams of relevant departments, will strengthen patrols at LCSD venues where large crowds are expected.
 
     These venues include the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza, Salisbury Garden, the Avenue of Stars, Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade, Urban Council Centenary Garden, Kai Tak Cruise Terminal Park, Kai Tak Sky Garden, Kai Tak Promenade, Kwun Tong Promenade and Cha Kwo Ling Promenade along the Kowloon waterfront, as well as Tamar Park, the Central and Western District Promenade (Central Section), the Wan Chai Temporary Promenade and East Coast Park (Phase 1) on the waterfront of Hong Kong Island.
 
     The LCSD reminded members of the public to take their belongings with them when leaving the venues and not to leave trash behind.
 
     The LCSD also reminded people that the above venues will be very crowded during the fireworks display. Visitors should be careful and patient, pay attention to their safety, observe the crowd management measures at the venues, and comply with the Police’s instructions. read more

     The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (January 28) announced the details of the 2025 Peach Blossom Trees (PBTs) Recycling Programme (2025 Programme). To encourage the recovery and recycling of yard waste in the communi… read more

     Hong Kong Customs yesterday (January 27) arrested a sole director and a person-in-charge of a trading company suspected of engaging in wrongly accepting payments when selling game cards, in contravention of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO).

     Customs earlier received a number of reports alleging that a trading company, when selling game cards, had failed to supply the ordered goods within the specified date or a reasonable period after accepting payments from customers.  Also, no refund was offered.  The total amount involved in the case is approximately $450,000, with the largest individual case amounting to around $65,000.

     After an investigation, Customs officers arrested a female sole director, aged 30, and a 31-year-old man-in-charge of the company. 

     The investigation is ongoing. The two arrestees are released on bail pending further investigation.

     Customs has long been concerned about illegal activities involving pre-sold products and strived to combat unfair trade practices to protect consumer interests.

     Under the TDO, it is an offence for a trader to accept payments for a product if at the time of accepting the payments, he does not intend to supply it or intends to supply another materially different product, or if there are no reasonable grounds for believing that he will be able to supply the product within a specified or reasonable time. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment of five years.

     Customs reminded traders to comply with the requirements of the TDO. Traders should not accept advance payments from consumers if they are uncertain whether the pertinent goods or services can be delivered to consumers within a specified or reasonable time. Before buying a popular product, consumers should pay attention to its supply quantity and supply period, including the announcement made by the brand owners for reference. Also, they should make orders through reputable traders. After purchasing the products, consumers should keep the transaction documents, such as records of communication, receipts of payment, etc., as the basis of a potential complaint in the future.

     â€‹Members of the public may report any suspected violations of the TDO to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002). read more

     A red tide was sighted over the past few days, an interdepartmental red tide working group reported today (January 28).
 
     The red tide was spotted by staff of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department on January 24 at Clear Water Bay Second Beach, Sai Kung. The red tide has dissipated. No associated death of fish has been reported.
 
     A spokesman for the working group said, “The red tide was formed by Mesodinium rubrum, which is commonly found in Hong Kong waters and is non-toxic.”
 
     The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) urged mariculturists at Ma Nam Wat, Tung Lung Chau and Po Toi O fish culture zones to monitor the situation closely and increase aeration where necessary.
 
     Red tide is a natural phenomenon. The AFCD’s proactive phytoplankton monitoring programme will continue to monitor red tide occurrences to minimise the impact on the mariculture industry and the public. read more