The following is issued on behalf of the Major Sports Events Committee:
 
     The Major Sports Events Committee (MSEC) has awarded "M" Mark status to the Volleyball Nations League Hong Kong 2024 presented by China Life (Overseas), which will be held at the Hong Kong Coliseum from June 11 to 16.
      
     The Chairman of the MSEC, Mr Wilfred Ng, said today (May 31) that like all other "M" Mark events, this event will not only promote sports development and showcase Hong Kong's capability to host world-class sports events, but also add colour and vibrancy to Hong Kong, bring in more visitors from abroad and enhance Hong Kong's position as a centre for major international sports events.
      
     "Hong Kong has successfully secured the opportunity to continue hosting the Volleyball Nations League. The tournament will feature eight national women's teams, including Brazil, Bulgaria, China, Dominican Republic, Germany, Poland, Thailand and Türkiye, which provides them with the final chance to compete for a spot in the Paris Olympics. We believe that the tournament will present an unforgettable volleyball extravaganza for fans and demonstrate Hong Kong's vibrancy and passion," Mr Ng said.
              
     The "M" Mark System aims to encourage and help local "national sports associations" and private and non-government organisations to organise more major international sports events and nurture them into sustainable undertakings. Sports events meeting the assessment criteria will be granted "M" Mark status by the MSEC. Funding support will also be provided to some events.
      
     For details of "M" Mark events, please visit www.mevents.org.hk.

     â€‹The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (May 31) released the findings of its food safety report for last month. The results of about 4 200 food samples tested were found to be satisfactory except for seven unsatisfactory samples which were announced earlier. The overall satisfactory rate was 99.8 per cent.

     A CFS spokesman said about 1 200 food samples were collected for microbiological tests, and about 3 000 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 1 500 samples of vegetables and fruit and their products; about 300 samples of cereals, grains and their products; about 300 samples of meat and poultry and their products; about 900 samples of milk, milk products and frozen confections; about 500 samples of aquatic and related products; and about 700 samples of other food commodities (including beverages, bakery products and snacks).
     
     The seven unsatisfactory samples comprised a prepackaged milk product sample detected with milk solids other than fat at a level not in compliance with the regulations, two frozen confection samples detected with coliform bacteria exceeding the legal limit, and four prepackaged spice mix products samples found with a pesticide, ethylene oxide.

     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, as the Japanese Government has commenced the 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 CSF 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 the 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.

Attention TV/Radio Announcers:

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

     Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (May 31) that as lifeguards are unable to go to Hap Mun Bay Beach in Sai Kung District by ferries due to inclement weather, lifesaving services at the beach have been suspended until further notice. Beachgoers are advised not to swim at the beach until further notice.

     The Wild Animals Protection (Amendment) Ordinance 2024 (the Ordinance) was published in the Gazette today (May 31) and will take effect from August 1.
      
     The Ordinance aims to expand the prohibition on feeding currently applicable to wild animals to cover feral pigeon (feeding ban) as well; increase the maximum penalty for contravention of the feeding ban from a fine of $10,000 to a fine of $100,000 and imprisonment for one year, and introduce a fixed penalty with the amount at $5,000; and broaden the scope of the Government's enforcement officers.
      
     "Feeding wild animals and feral pigeons will not only foul public places and attract these animals to gather, thus causing a nuisance to the public and the public hygiene problem, but will also affect the habits of these animals, jeopardising their ability to survive in the wild. In 2021 and 2022, the annual average number of complaints related to feral pigeons received by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD), Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) and Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) was about 1 700 cases in total. The Government will continue to strengthen publicity and education to foster public understanding that wild animals and feral pigeons have the natural instincts to forage in the wild and natural environment without having to rely on human feeding. In addition, the AFCD will work closely with the departments assisting in enforcement (including the FEHD, the Housing Department and the LCSD), with a view to ensuring effective enforcement," a Government spokesman said.
 
     Information on the latest feeding ban requirements and penalties, as well as the precautions have been uploaded to the AFCD's relevant webpage (www.afcd.gov.hk/english/conservation/con_fau/con_fau_wild_the.html) for public reference.

     â€‹The Social Welfare Department (SWD) today (May 31) reminds members of the public to remain vigilant against phone scams purportedly made by SWD officers.

     The SWD has received enquiries from restaurants about phone calls purportedly made by SWD officers who would like to place orders for food items/drinks. The caller would also request the restaurants to assist in ordering goods from other vendors and settle the payment concerned before seeking reimbursement of the amount from the caller.

     The SWD emphasised that its officers would never request members of the public to settle any payments for the department. Members of the public should remain vigilant when receiving suspicious calls, instead of believing the callers hastily.

     The SWD has reported the matter to the Police. Anyone receiving a suspected phone scam should immediately make a report to the Police.