Murder and Wounding Case in Kowloon City
Police are investigating a murder and wounding case in Kowloon City yesterday afternoon (December 5) in which a 39-year-old non-ethnic Chinese (NEC) man died. At about 5.29pm yesterday, Pol… read more
Police are investigating a murder and wounding case in Kowloon City yesterday afternoon (December 5) in which a 39-year-old non-ethnic Chinese (NEC) man died. At about 5.29pm yesterday, Pol… read more
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (December 6) reminded the public, particularly the elderly and people with chronic illnesses, to adopt appropriate measures to protect their health in view of the cold weather.
A spokesman for the CHP said that cold weather can easily trigger or exacerbate diseases, especially among the elderly and persons suffering from heart disease, respiratory illness or other chronic illnesses.
“Elderly people have less insulating fat beneath their skin to keep them warm and their body temperature control mechanism may be weaker. Their body may not be able to appropriately respond to the cold weather,” the spokesman said.
Some senior persons may have decreased mobility, which can in turn slow down their ability to generate and conserve body heat. Chronic illnesses, such as hypertension, diabetes and endocrine disorders, may undermine the health of elderly people and lower their metabolic rate, subsequently causing their body to generate less heat.
The CHP reminds the public, in particular the elderly and persons with chronic illnesses, to adopt the following preventive measures:
Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations: Please broadcast the following special announcement immediately, and repeat it at frequent intervals when the Cold Weather Warning is in force: &nbs… read more
The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (December 5) that a sample of tinned lettuce was found to contain sulphur dioxide, but the functional class and name of such additive were not declared on the food label. Members of the public should not consume the affected batch of the product. The trade should also stop using or selling the affected batch of the product immediately if they possess it.
Product details are as follows:
Product name: Salted lettuce
Brand: Pigeon brand
Sole agent: Golden Long Food Trading Limited
Place of origin: Thailand
Net weight: 140 grams/5 ounces per tin
Best-before date: July 19, 2022
“The CFS collected the abovementioned sample from a supermarket in Tsing Yi for testing under its routine Food Surveillance Programme. The test result showed that the sample contained sulphur dioxide, however, the functional class and name of such additive were not declared on the food label of the sample,” a CFS spokesman said.
“The CFS has informed the vendor concerned of the irregularity and instructed it to stop sale and remove from shelves the affected batch of the product. The sole agent concerned has initiated a recall according to CFS’ instructions. Members of the public may call the sole agent’s hotline at 2566 3007 during office hours for enquiries about the recall. The CFS is also tracing the source of the affected product,” the spokesman added.
Sulphur dioxide is a commonly used preservative in a variety of foods including dried vegetables, dried fruits, pickled vegetables and salted fish products. This preservative is of low toxicity. As it is water soluble, 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 that the use of preservatives in food must comply with the Preservatives in Food Regulation (Cap 132BD). Furthermore, the Food and Drugs (Composition and Labelling) Regulations (Cap 132W) require that for all prepackaged food for sale in Hong Kong containing sulphite in a concentration of 10 parts per million or more, the functional class of the sulphite and its name shall be specified in the list of ingredients. Offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $50,000 and six months’ imprisonment upon conviction.
The CFS will alert the trade, continue to follow up on the incident and take appropriate action. Investigation is ongoing. read more
Hong Kong Customs yesterday (December 4) conducted a special operation against the sale of counterfeit goods in upstairs showrooms. About 1 700 items of suspected counterfeit goods, including handbags, belts, watches and shoes, with an estimated market value of about $2 million were seized.
Customs earlier discovered an upstairs showroom in Causeway Bay selling suspected counterfeit goods. After in-depth investigation with the assistance of trademark owners, Customs officers took enforcement action yesterday and raided the showroom, seizing the batch of suspected counterfeit goods.
The showroom had been operating in a low-profile mode and mainly served foreign visitors. Famous brands were involved and the goods available for sale had a high degree of resemblance.
During the operation, a 71-year-old male person-in-charge was arrested.
Investigation is ongoing.
With the Christmas holidays approaching, Customs will further step up inspections and enforcement to combat the sale of counterfeit goods.
Customs reminds consumers to procure goods at reputable shops and to check with the trademark owners or their authorised agents if the authenticity of a product is in doubt.
Customs also reminds traders to be cautious and prudent in merchandising since the sale of counterfeit goods is a serious crime and offenders are liable to criminal sanctions.
Under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, any person who sells or possesses for sale any goods with a forged trademark commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.
Members of the public may report any suspected infringing activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).