The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (January 22) announced the test results of a recently completed seasonal food surveillance project on Lunar New Year (LNY) food (second phase). The test results of around 190 samples collected were all satisfactory.
 
     "The CFS announced the first-phase test results on LNY food in early January. As the LNY is around the corner, the CFS has completed the second phase of the surveillance project. Different types of LNY food, including steamed puddings (e.g. turnip puddings and festive cakes), fried dumplings (e.g. sesame balls and crispy triangles), candied fruits, glutinous rice balls, melon seeds and dried aquatic products, were collected from different retailers (including online retailers) for chemical and microbiological tests as well as nutrition content analysis," a spokesman for the CFS said.
 
     Chemical tests targeted preservatives (e.g. sulphur dioxide, benzoic acid and sorbic acid), colouring matters (e.g. Sudan dyes), antioxidants and metallic contaminants (e.g. cadmium, mercury and arsenic). Microbiological tests covered different food poisoning pathogens, such as Salmonella, Clostridium perfringens, Bacillus cereus and coagulase-positive staphylococci organisms. For nutrition content analysis, contents of energy, carbohydrates, protein, total fat, saturated fatty acids, trans fatty acids, sodium and sugars of the samples were tested to see if the test results comply with their declared values on the nutrition labels.
 
     The spokesman urged the food trade to observe the relevant laws and regulations in the preparation of food, follow Good Manufacturing Practice and use permitted food additives only in an appropriate manner. Retailers should source food from reliable suppliers, and conduct quality checks of incoming materials and end products to ensure that ingredients used are within legal standards. In addition, the food trade should maintain proper records in accordance with the requirements of the Food Safety Ordinance to allow source tracing if needed.
 
     He also advised consumers to buy LNY food from reliable retailers with good hygiene conditions; make sure the packaging of prepackaged cakes and snacks is intact and the products have not expired; refer to the nutrition labels on the sugar, salt (sodium) and fat content, etc, for healthier choices; and pay attention to the hygiene conditions of food containers and the personal hygiene of staff when buying loose-packed food (e.g. candied lotus seeds, nuts and melon seeds).
 
     "Consumers should choose food products with natural colours. Bright white pistachios may have been bleached and melon seeds with unnatural gloss may have had mineral oil added. Consumption of these food products can cause gastrointestinal discomfort," the spokesman said.
 
      "Festive cakes that are not for immediate consumption should be kept refrigerated or stored according to the instructions on the package, and should be eaten before they expire. Reheat hot-served food thoroughly before consumption. Discard food with mould or an abnormal smell or taste. Leftovers should not be stored in the refrigerator for longer than three days and should not be reheated more than once. Nuts and melon seeds should not be kept for a long time and mouldy ones should not be eaten," he added.
 
     The CFS spokesman reminded members of the public to maintain a balanced diet and avoid excessive consumption of LNY foods that are high in energy, sugar, salt or fat. The CFS advises members of the public to share seasonal food with their friends and relatives while enjoying the festive season.
 
     Please visit the CFS website (www.cfs.gov.hk) for more food safety tips.

     Hong Kong Customs yesterday (January 21) seized about 3.2 kilograms of suspected crack cocaine and 4.8kg of suspected cocaine with a total estimated market value of about $11 million in To Kwa Wan.

     During an anti-narcotics operation in To Kwa Wan yesterday evening, Customs officers intercepted a man and found about 650 grams of suspected crack cocaine inside a rucksack carried by him. The 32-year-old man was then arrested.

     After follow-up investigation, Customs officers escorted the arrested man to a residential premises nearby where about 2,550g of suspected crack cocaine, 4.8kg of suspected cocaine and a batch of drug packaging paraphernalia were further seized.

     Investigation is ongoing.

     Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.

     Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).

  

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:
 
     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) wishes to alert members of the public to a press release issued by Bank of Singapore Limited on suspicious mobile applications (Apps), which has been reported to the HKMA. Hyperlink to the press release is available on the HKMA website for ease of reference by members of the public.
 
     Anyone who has provided his or her personal information to the Apps concerned or has conducted any financial transactions through the Apps should contact the bank concerned using the contact information provided in the press release, and report to the Police or contact the Cyber Security and Technology Crime Bureau of the Hong Kong Police Force at 2860 5012.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

     Exchange Fund Bills tender results:
 

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     Hong Kong Monetary Authority tenders to be held in the week beginning January 28, 2019:
 

     Following is the transcript of remarks by the Acting Chief Executive, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, at a media session before the Executive Council meeting this morning (January 22):
 
Reporter: Now the appeal of Frankly Chu in the police abuse case during Occupy has been rejected by the highest court, it's possible to comment on the case. So would the Police and Government offer criticism of Mr Chu, apologise and explain what will be done to prevent future cases of police abuse?
 
Acting Chief Executive: We must respect the decision of the Court of Final Appeal. That's very important – rule of law in Hong Kong. I've nothing further to add on that point. OK?
 
Reporter: But Mr Cheung, is the procedure really simple enough though, because the public was confused and there aren’t enough forms, so what is the Government going to do to improve the situation looking forward? About another topic on CSSA change, is Mrs Carrie Lam not respecting the pan-dems when she simply cannot make time to meet them about change? Third question, if using the bypass, the new bypass, is actually sometimes slower than using the old route and the Transport Department is actually encouraging drivers heading west to use the old route instead, is the bypass really useful then?
 
Acting Chief Executive: First of all, the Caring and Sharing Scheme – $4,000 is involved. We are talking about striking a balance between user-friendliness on the one hand and accountability, particularly when public money is concerned, on the other. To strike a fine balance, we must, as I remind my colleagues always, we must do our very, very best to make it really user-friendly and maximise the scope for user-friendliness. That’s why we will continue to be flexible in handling applications. What we require applicants to provide in their application is basically essential data only. We certainly would not bother or create inconvenience to the applicants, first of all.
 
     The second question is about the new scheme requiring those aged between 60 and 64 to work, to join the work programme (Employment Programme for the Elderly and Middle-aged), rather than relying on Old Age Allowance under CSSA. Our intention is clear. We want to unleash the potential of the labour force, particularly at a time when Hong Kong is facing acute shortage of manpower. First of all, we face an ageing population. In the job-seeking process, we’ll provide full support, we’ll provide them with an employment support (Employment Support Supplement), a supplement amount, the total payment in fact aligns that of the Old Age Allowance Standard Rate. So we are talking about a level playing field here. On top of it, they are also entitled to rental allowance plus free medical services. Apart from these, they also enjoy extra income by working. They can actually accumulate income up to $2,500 per month (maximum ”disregarded earnings”) without any deduction. So, all these are really positive incentives to promote employment in Hong Kong. And I really wish that the pan-democrats will respond positively to my invitation to meet this Thursday afternoon. My invitation is really very sincere. We want a face-to-face dialogue, iron out all misunderstanding so that we can take the matter forward. 
      
     Finally, on the Central-Wan Chai Bypass congestion on the first day, I would use the word “teething problems”. Things have really been improving. In fact, overnight, Transport Department colleagues had done their very best to erect directional signboards and also display more information spontaneously on the various digital screens at very important vantage points to facilitate motorists. I am sure that given time, and also with the completion of the access road in a month’s time, the link road between Rumsey Street flyover and the Bypass itself, the situation will be further improved. Okay? Thank you.
 
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)