As the thunderstorm warning and Strong Wind Signal No. 3 are now in force, the flag-raising ceremony to be conducted at Golden Bauhinia Square, Wan Chai at 8am today (June 8) will be cancelled.

Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:

     Please broadcast the following special announcement immediately, and repeat it at frequent intervals:

     "The Social Welfare Department announces that due to the issuing of Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 3, members of the public are advised not to take their children or family members to child care centres, centres providing after school care programmes, elderly services centres or day rehabilitation units, including sheltered workshops, integrated vocational rehabilitation services centres and day activity centres. These centres will, however, remain open to serve those whose families cannot provide alternative care for them."

     Attention TV and radio duty announcers:

     Please broadcast the following special announcement by the Education Bureau concerning schools, and repeat it at suitable intervals:

     As the Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal no. 3 is now in force, classes of AM and whole-day kindergartens, schools for children with physical disability and schools for children with intellectual disability are suspended today.

     If the Hong Kong Observatory cancels the Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal no. 3 before 10.30am, classes of PM kindergartens will resume today.

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible and repeat it at suitable intervals:

     The Marine Department has announced that To Kwa Wan Typhoon Shelter is now full.

     Local vessels are advised to use other typhoon shelters.

     The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (June 7) 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, "Following up on a food complaint, the CFS took the fresh beef sample from a fresh provision shop in Tung Chung for testing. The test result showed that the sample contained sulphur dioxide at a level of 85 parts per million."
      
     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.
      
     The CFS has informed the vendor concerned of the abovementioned irregularity. Prosecution will be instituted should there be sufficient evidence.
      
     Sulphur dioxide is a commonly used preservative in a variety of foods including dried fruits, pickled vegetables and meat products such as sausages and grilled burgers, but under the Regulation it is not permitted in fresh or chilled meat. Nonetheless, individual meat traders have been found illegally using sulphur dioxide to make meat look fresher. 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.
      
     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.