Author Archives: hksar gov

     In view of media reports on excess lead found in the drinking water in some flats in Kwai Tsui Estate, the Water Supplies Department (WSD) has approached the tenants concerned and conducted water sampling for two of the flats upon obtaining the tenants’ consent. The test results showed that the lead content of the water samples was within limit.
 
     A spokesman for the WSD said today (July 19), “The water samples were taken from two flats in Bik Tsui House of Kwai Tsui Estate. The lead content of the six-hour stagnation water samples taken from the two flats was 2 micrograms per litre which was within limit (i.e. lead content not exceeding 10 micrograms per litre).”
 
     As the two flats are with tenants newly moved in, the WSD has recommended the tenants of these flats to flush the drinking water supply system of their flats twice a day (every morning and night for 15 minutes) for three consecutive days from today. The WSD will revisit these flats to collect drinking water samples to test if there will be changes to the water quality.
 
     The spokesman said that when collecting water samples in the two flats, it was noticed that the tenants had altered the water pipes and replaced the water taps of the flats. As new fittings will generally have a higher metal leaching rate during their early stage of use, the WSD reminded the tenants to thoroughly flush the concerned pipes and fittings to ensure water safety.
 
     In fact, the WSD has been publicising via various channels, such as website, posters and water bill messages to new registered consumers, that the abovementioned flushing process should be conducted when moving into a new flat or after replumbing works of flats.
 
     “As testing of metal contents in water samples involves measuring trace chemicals, stringent sampling procedures and testing protocols shall be followed otherwise any contamination by the surrounding environment (such as renovation works in the flat) may affect the test result. Extra care should be taken during sample collection for such purpose to avoid the test result from being affected by contaminant in the surrounding environment,” the spokesman said.
 
     The WSD continues to approach the tenants of the remaining flats alleged to have excess lead found in drinking water for arranging water sampling test in these flats. read more

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:        The Legislative Council (LegCo) Subcommittee to Follow Up Issues Relating to the Unified Screening Mechanism for Non-refoulement Claims tod… read more

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 Serv… read more

     The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (July 19) announced that two chocolate flavour sorbet samples were found to contain total bacterial counts exceeding the legal limit. Follow-up is in progress.

     “Subsequent to announcing that a sample of chocolate flavour sorbet taken from a retail outlet of frozen confections in Quarry Bay was found to contain a total bacterial count exceeding the legal limit, the CFS detected similar irregularities in a further two chocolate flavour sorbet samples of the same kind but of different manufacturing dates taken respectively from the same retail outlet and the frozen confection factory manufacturing the product concerned for testing during follow-up investigations. The test results showed that the two samples contained total bacterial counts of 610 000 and 730 000 per gram respectively, exceeding the legal limit,” a spokesman for the CFS said.

     Under the Frozen Confections Regulation (Cap 132AC), frozen confection for sale should not contain more than 50 000 bacteria per gram. The maximum penalty for offenders is a fine of $10,000 and three months’ imprisonment upon conviction. The fact that the total bacterial count exceeded the legal limit indicated that the hygienic conditions were unsatisfactory, but did not mean that consumption would lead to food poisoning.

     “The CFS has informed the vendor concerned of the irregularities. The vendor has already, according to the CFS’ instructions, stopped selling the affected kind of sorbet at all retail outlets and will dispose of the remaining stock of the affected product. The frozen confection factory concerned has also stopped its production. The CFS has provided health education on food safety and hygiene to the person-in-charge and staff of the vendor, and requested it to review and improve the food production process and carry out thorough cleaning and disinfection in the frozen confection factory. Should there be sufficient evidence, prosecution will be instituted. Both unsatisfactory samples were taken before sale of the affected product was stopped,” the spokesman said. read more

     The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) and representatives from the electrical and mechanical (E&M) trade today (July 19) concluded their four-day visit to Shenzhen and Guangzhou to keep abreast of the lat… read more