Tag Archives: China

     The Department of Health (DH) today (February 21) endorsed a licensed Chinese herbal medicine (Chm) wholesaler, Wong Chak Kee Limited, to voluntarily recall from the market one batch of Chm, Nidus Vespae (batch number: 230228), as aflatoxins detected in the sample exceeded the limits set out by the Chinese Medicines Board of the Chinese Medicine Council of Hong Kong (CMCHK).

     During the DH’s market surveillance, a sample of the above Chm was collected for analysis. Testing results of the sample from the Government Laboratory revealed that each kilogram of the Nidus Vespae sample contained 44 micrograms of aflatoxins and 30mcg of aflatoxin B1, exceeding the limits set out by the Chinese Medicines Board of the CMCHK (each kilogram of the above Chm should not contain more than 10mcg of aflatoxins and 5mcg of aflatoxin B1).

     A preliminary investigation indicated that the above batch of Nidus Vespae was imported by Wong Chak Kee Limited from the Mainland. The DH is tracing the distribution of the affected Chm. So far, no adverse reports related to the use of the above Chm have been received. The investigation is ongoing.
 
     Wong Chak Kee Limited has set up a hotline (2858 2168) for public enquiries. The DH will closely monitor the recall.

     According to the Chinese Medicine Ordinance (Cap. 549), Nidus Vespae is a Schedule 2 Chm. Nidus Vespae, the honeycomb of Polistes olivaceous (DeGeer), Polistes japonicus Saussure or Parapolybia varia Fabricius, is used to expel toxins, kill worms, dispel wind and relieve pain.

     “Aflatoxins are a family of heat-resistant compounds produced by the moulds Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus parasiticus and related species. Hot and humid conditions and poor storage can contribute to a higher occurrence of moulds and consequently high levels of aflatoxins in contaminated Chm. The DH advises the industry to have strict control on the temperature and humidity of the storage facilities for Chm that is susceptible to mould infestation and members of the public to properly store Chm at a dry and cool place,” a spokesman for the DH said.

     The spokesman added that the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified aflatoxins as carcinogenic to humans. Aflatoxins can lead to liver cancer after long-term ingestion, and the risk for hepatitis B carriers is relatively high. Members of the public may visit the following website of the Chinese Medicine Regulatory Office (CMRO) of the DH for more information on the adverse health effects of aflatoxins and proper storage of Chm:
www.cmro.gov.hk/files/en/useful_information/public_health/pamphlet/Herbal_Medicines_and_Aflatoxin_Eng.pdf
 
     According to section 52 of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance (Cap. 132), selling any drug not of the nature, substance or quality demanded by the purchaser is liable to a maximum penalty of $10,000 and three months’ imprisonment. Upon completion of investigation, the DH will work with the Department of Justice on prosecution matters and will also refer the case to the CMCHK for possible disciplinary action.

     The DH urged members of the public who have purchased the above affected batch of Chm to stop using it immediately and submit it to the CMRO of the DH on 16/F, AIA Kowloon Tower, Landmark East, 100 How Ming Street, Kwun Tong, during office hours for disposal. Members of the public who have used the above Chm and feel unwell should seek advice from healthcare professionals.

  

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:        The service of Coin Cart No.2 at lay-by on Tuen Shun Street, Tuen Mun (outside tmtplaza, near Taxi Stand) originally scheduled between Februar… read more

     The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Sydney (Sydney ETO) shared the joy of the Year of the Dragon with the local community in Sydney, Australia, by presenting a concert and hosting a reception on February 19 and 20 respectively.
 
     The Sydney ETO supported “A Melodious Chat of Music Concert” on February 19 to celebrate Chinese New Year and showcase the music talent of Hong Kong. The performance, staged by the ensemble Melody Plus, blended Chinese and Western music, presenting music works of Lingnan culture, Cantonese pop songs and classic folk songs. The performance was well received by an audience of around 500.
 
     The Director of the Sydney ETO, Miss Trista Lim, said in her welcoming remarks that the Government is committed to fostering the cultural development of Hong Kong. “Our office attaches great importance to promoting arts and cultural exchanges with the local community in Australia. To showcase Hong Kong’s unique charm as the East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange under the 14th Five-Year Plan, and to tell good stories of Hong Kong, we are working proactively in assisting the touring of arts groups and delegations,” she said.
 
     The Sydney ETO also hosted a reception in Sydney yesterday (February 20) to celebrate the Year of the Dragon. Over 400 guests from various sectors including political and business circles, media, academic and community groups as well as government representatives attended the reception. Among them were the Minister for Better Regulation and Fair Trading, the Minister for Industry and Trade, the Minister for Innovation, Science and Technology, the Minister for Building, and the Minister for Corrections of New South Wales (NSW), Mr Anoulack Chanthivong, representing the Premier of NSW; and the Deputy Lord Mayor of the City of Sydney, Mr Robert Kok, representing the Lord Mayor of the City of Sydney.
 
     Speaking at the reception, Miss Lim said that Hong Kong prides itself as Asia’s world city, offering visitors a unique blend of Eastern and Western cultures. She added that the Government will strive to promote a mega-event economy, highlighting a series of mega events to be held in Hong Kong in the coming months including the LIV Golf Hong Kong Tournament, Art March and the Hong Kong Sevens.
 
     Miss Lim also introduced the Government’s initiatives to attract enterprises, investment and talent, including developing a “headquarters economy”, rolling out a new Capital Investment Entrant Scheme, and expanding the coverage of universities under the Top Talent Pass Scheme to 185 institutions, including nine universities in Australia.
 
     The Sydney ETO will continue to host Chinese New Year receptions in Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth in Australia, and Auckland in New Zealand to celebrate the Year of the Dragon with communities in those locations.

              

     â€‹The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (February 21) that in view of a notification from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) about an outbreak of hi… read more

     In response to media enquiries on the late approval of â€‹the application from the Dragon and Lion Dance Extravaganza 2024 for using the Avenue of Stars by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), a spokesman for the department made the following clarification:

     The Hong Kong Dragon and Lion Dance Festival Preparatory Committee (the applicant) submitted their application to the LCSD’s Yau Tsim Mong District Leisure Services Office (the Office) on October 17, 2023, for using the Avenue of Stars to hold the above event on January 1, 2024.

     Subsequently, the Office repeatedly reminded the applicant to submit detailed information about the event for review and approval, such as the layout of the function and crowd control measures, etc. However, the applicant was unable to submit important information about the use of the venue. The Office issued three written reminders to the applicant in December last year, and the applicant finally submitted all necessary information to the Office on December 28, 2023.

     After examining the related information, the Office issued a letter of approval on December 29, 2023, allowing the applicant to conduct the activities of the Dragon and Lion Dance Extravaganza 2024 at the Avenue of Stars on January 1, 2024. read more