The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (July 17) announced that a sample of ham and egg bun was found to contain an excessive amount of Bacillus cereus, a pathogen. The CFS is following up on the case.
 
     "Following up on a food complaint, the CFS collected the above sample from a convenience store in Sheung Wan for testing. The test result showed that the sample contained Bacillus cereus at a level of 4.5 million per gram. Under the Microbiological Guidelines for Food, if ready-to-eat food contains Bacillus cereus at a level of more than 100 000 per gram, it is considered unsatisfactory," a CFS spokesman said.
 
     The spokesman said that the CFS had informed the vendor concerned of the unsatisfactory test result and instructed it to suspend the sale of the affected food. The CFS has also provided health education on food safety and hygiene to the staff of the vendor and is tracing the source of the affected product.
 
     According to Section 54 of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance (Cap 132), all food available for sale in Hong Kong, locally produced or imported, should be fit for human consumption. An offender is subject to a maximum fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for six months upon conviction.
 
     Bacillus cereus is commonly found in the environment. Unhygienic conditions in food processing and storage may give rise to its growth. Consuming food contaminated with excessive Bacillus cereus may cause gastrointestinal upset such as vomiting and diarrhoea.
 
     The CFS will continue to follow up on the incident, and take appropriate action to safeguard food safety and public health. 

     The Transport Department (TD) today (July 17) reminded the public that to facilitate the extension of opening hours of the Hong Kong Book Fair 2018 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) this Friday and Saturday (July 20 and 21), the following special transport arrangements will be implemented on those two days:

1. The ferry service between Wan Chai and Tsim Sha Tsui will be extended to 11.30pm daily. The headway of the service will also be enhanced to eight to 12 minutes between 8pm to 11.30pm;

2. To cope with the additional passenger demand, four special cross-harbour bus routes will be operated by the bus companies:

(i)  Routes 105R and 111R heading for Mei Foo and Yue Man Square in Kwun Tong respectively will operate from HKCEC Phase II on Expo Drive from 10pm to 1am of the following day daily. The headway will be 10 to 15 minutes with a fare charged at $15.5;

(ii)  Route 168R heading for Yuen Long West will operate from Expo Drive East Bus Terminus from 11pm to midnight daily. The headway will be 30 minutes with a fare charged at $35.3; and

(iii) Route 178R heading for Lok Ma Chau (San Tin) Public Transport Interchange via Fanling and Sheung Shui will operate from Expo Drive East Bus Terminus from 11.10pm to 12.10am of the following day daily. The headway will be 30 minutes with a fare charged at $39.9.

     Details of the special transport arrangements are available at the TD's website (www.td.gov.hk). For enquiries, please call 1823.

     â€‹The owner of a renovation works contractor, two drivers and a worker, who illegally dumped commercial and industrial waste (C&I waste) and construction waste in Sai Kung, Southern District and Yuen Long, were fined a total of $17,500 by Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts on July 12, Eastern Magistrates' Courts on July 16 and Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (July 17) respectively for contravening the Waste Disposal Ordinance (WDO).

     The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) is committed to combating illegal waste disposal. Through blitz operations and following up on the car plate number concerned and other information reported by members of the public, the EPD officers caught the offenders red-handed or successfully traced the people involved in four fly-tipping cases that occurred at Hang Hau Wing Lung Road in Sai Kung, Chung Hom Kok Road in Southern District, and Tai Shu Ha Road West and Pat Heung Road in Yuen Long. The illegally discarded waste, which involved renovation waste, unwanted food ingredients, packaging waste and other C&I waste, obstructed walkways and affected environmental hygiene. The EPD subsequently prosecuted all persons involved under the WDO after evidence gathering.

     An EPD spokesman urged members of the public to make a report to the department if they witness illegal dumping of waste by vehicles. They can provide relevant information such as videos and photos of the vehicle involved to the EPD via the department's hotline 2838 3111 to help combat illegal activities. The spokesman reminded those involved in building renovation, construction works and the transportation sector that they should dispose of construction waste properly in accordance with the law. Reusable materials or waste with a recycling value should be collected by recyclers, while non-recyclable waste should be delivered to appropriate waste management facilities, such as public fill banks or landfills, for proper treatment or disposal. Under the WDO, it is an offence for anyone to dispose of waste in public places. First-time offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $200,000 and six months' imprisonment.

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     Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (July 17) that due to big waves, the red flag has been hoisted at Repulse Bay Beach in Southern District, Hong Kong Island. Beach-goers are advised not to swim at the beach.

    The Secretary for Education, Mr Kevin Yeung, visited Central and Western District this afternoon (July 17) to learn more about summer holiday activities for parents and children. He also exchanged views with young people and members of Central and Western District Council.
 
    Accompanied by the Chairman and Vice-chairman of the Central and Western District Council, Mr Yip Wing-shing and Mr Chan Hok-fung, and the District Officer (Central and Western), Mrs Susanne Wong, Mr Yeung first went to Sheung Wan to join a local tour of the intangible cultural heritage in Central and Western District.
 
    The tour was co-organised by the Conservancy Association Centre for Heritage and Central and Western District Office. With parent-child interaction as one of its characteristics, the tour allows parents and children, through visits to small local shops and picture-book activities, to learn more about aspects of local history and culture, such as paper crafts, printing and dried seafood.
 
    Mr Yeung said he commended parents for arranging parent-child activities during the summer holiday, as well as allowing their children to take ample rest. Not only would it help the children foster a healthy lifestyle, it would also enhance parent-child relationships and provide the children with other learning experiences, he said.
 
    He then went to the Kennedy Town Community Complex to listen to the views expressed by youths of the Central and Western District Youth Development Network, followed by a visit to the Central and Western District Office to exchange views with local district councilors.
 
    Also accompanying Mr Yeung on the district visit were two Secondary Five students participating in the "Be a Government Official for a Day" programme, which gives them the opportunity to shadow a principal official for one day during the summer holiday. Starting this morning, they accompanied Mr Yeung on his daily business, including meeting with the outgoing Consul-General of Finland in Hong Kong, Mr Jari Sinkari, shooting a video for Teachers' Day, and exchanging views with representatives of the Hong Kong Kowloon City Industry and Commerce Association and school head groups.
 
    After being shadowed by the two students for the day, Mr Yeung said he was impressed by their serious attitudes and care for the community. He encouraged them to continue to study hard and gain more experience, and said he believed they would serve the community well in whatever working positions they might hold in the future.