The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (November 22) said that the CFS, through its routine Food Incident Surveillance System, learnt on November 21 that there were reports in the United States (US) and Canada about outbreaks of Escherichia coli (E. coli) infection that might be linked to the consumption of romaine lettuce contaminated with E. coli. The CFS immediately contacted the US and Canadian authorities for more information (including about the place of origin of the affected romaine lettuce). The Centre also, starting from yesterday, held all romaine lettuce imported from the US and Canada for testing at the import level, which will only be released to the market upon satisfactory test results. The CFS has also enhanced surveillance of romaine lettuce from the two countries at retail level, and retailers have voluntarily removed from shelves the product concerned.

     For the sake of prudence, the CFS urges the public not to consume romaine lettuce from the US, Canada and unknown sources.

     The CFS will continue to closely monitor the latest developments of the incident in the US and Canada and take appropriate follow-up action.

     The delegation of Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government led by the Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Joshua Law, concluded the national studies course and visit programme in Beijing and departed for Hangzhou this morning (November 22) for a study tour to learn about the experience of the Zhejiang Provincial Government in promoting innovation and technology as well as developing a smart city there.

     After arrival in Hangzhou, the delegation visited the Public Service Center to learn about the Zhejiang Provincial Government's "At Most One Visit" project in providing one-stop public service.

     The delegation also met and exchanged views with leaders of Zhejiang Province and officials of the Hangzhou Municipal Bureau of Data Resources.

     Tomorrow (November 23), the delegation will visit the Alibaba Group, the University of Hong Kong Zhejiang Institute of Research and Innovation, and Bainiu Village to learn more about the innovation and technology as well as e-commerce development there.

     The delegation will conclude the visit and return to Hong Kong on November 24.

        

     Police today (November 22) appealed to the public for information on a man who went missing in Mong Kok. 

     Tse Kin-sun, aged 82, went missing after he was last seen in Sai Yee Street on November 20 night. His family made a report to Police on the same day. 

     He is about 1.6 metres tall, 45 kilograms in weight and of thin build. He has a pointed face with yellow complexion and short white hair. He was last seen wearing a blue and white long-sleeved checkered shirt, green trousers and a blue cap.

     Anyone who knows the whereabouts of the missing man or may have seen him is urged to contact the Regional Missing Person Unit of Kowloon East on 3661 0316 or 9020 2746 or email to rmpu-ke-2@police.gov.hk, or contact any police station.

  

     The Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Patrick Nip, visited Wan Chai District this afternoon (November 22), touring an activity centre for retirees and a centre serving Muslims in the district. He also met with members of the Wan Chai District Council (WCDC).

     Mr Nip first toured HUBBA Lab, an activity centre set up by a non-government organisation to serve would-be retirees and retirees. The centre organises a wide range of training courses, volunteer activities and outbound life experience tours with a view to helping participants keep on broadening their horizons, preserve self-confidence and maintain a good social life.

     Accompanied by the person-in-charge of the centre, Mr Nip visited different training classes and chatted with participants to learn about their retirement life and experience gained from joining the centre's activities.

     Mr Nip then visited the Ammar Mosque and Osman Ramju Sadick Islamic Centre, the major worship place and activity venue for Muslims living on Hong Kong Island. The centre houses not only a prayer hall, but also a cafeteria, a library and other facilities. It is also the headquarters of the Islamic Union of Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Islamic Youth Association.

     He said he was pleased to learn that the Islamic Union of Hong Kong has been rendering services to Muslims and non-Muslims in Hong Kong, such as organising courses on Islam, Arabic language classes, youth study groups, excursions and visits to elderly centres.

     "Hong Kong is a multicultural and inclusive society in which people enjoy equal opportunities regardless of their religion or race. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has all along been committed to fostering the culture and values of inclusiveness and mutual respect and promoting equal opportunities for people of different groups through promotion and education, administrative measures and statutory regulations," Mr Nip said.

     Accompanied by the District Officer (Wan Chai), Mr Rick Chan, Mr Nip met with the Chairman of the WCDC, Mr Stephen Ng, and members of the WCDC to exchange views on district and community affairs.

          

     The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (November 22) announced that two live abalone samples were found to contain a veterinary drug, chloramphenicol. The CFS is following up on the incident.

     A spokesman for the CFS said, "The CFS through its routine Food Incident Surveillance System, had earlier noted an announcement by the Macao authorities about a recall of a batch of 'South African live abalone' imported into Macao by a Hong Kong supplier due to the presence of a prohibited veterinary drug, chloramphenicol. That batch of live abalone had not entered the Hong Kong market. For the sake of prudence, the CFS had enhanced surveillance of live abalone. It collected the two above-mentioned samples from a fresh provision shop in Lok Fu and a stall in Tai Po Hui Market for testing. The test results showed that they contained chloramphenicol at respective levels of 0.65 micrograms per kilogram (µg/kg) and 0.56 µg/kg."
      
     According to the Harmful Substances in Food Regulations (Cap 132AF), no fish (including shellfish) sold in Hong Kong for human consumption is allowed to contain chloramphenicol. Offenders will be liable to a fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for six months upon conviction.
      
     The spokesman said, "The CFS has informed the vendors concerned of the irregularities and instructed them to stop sale of the affected products. The CFS is tracing the sources of the affected products."
      
     The CFS will continue to follow up on the cases and take appropriate action.