The Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, will depart for Beijing tomorrow night (April 1). She will call on the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, th… read more
The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (March 31) released the findings of its food safety report for last month. The results of about 4 200 food samples tested (including food items purchased online) were found to be satisfactory except for three unsatisfactory samples that were announced earlier. The overall satisfactory rate was 99.9 per cent.
A CFS spokesman said about 1 000 food samples were collected for microbiological tests, and about 3 200 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 500 samples of meat and poultry and their products; about 600 samples of milk, milk products and frozen confections; about 500 samples of aquatic and related products; and about 800 samples of other food commodities (including beverages, bakery products and snacks).
The three unsatisfactory samples comprised a Kudzu sample and a frozen snake meat sample detected with metallic contaminants exceeding the legal limit, and a fresh beef sample found to contain sulphur dioxide.
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, in response to the Japanese Government’s 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 CFS 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. read more
The Government announced today (March 31) the reappointment of Mr Kenneth Leung Yuk-wai as Vice-Chairman of the Youth Development Commission (YDC) and the reappointments of 13 non-official members as well as appointments o… read more
The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority: ​The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) Chief Executive, Mr Eddie Yue, and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor, Dr Eli M. Remolona, Jr… read more
The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:
The Legislative Council (LegCo) will hold a meeting on Wednesday (April 2) at 11am in the Chamber of the LegCo Complex. During the meeting, the Second Reading debate on the Ozone Layer Protection (Amendment) Bill 2024 will resume. If the Bill is supported by Members and receives its Second Reading, it will stand committed to the committee of the whole Council. After the committee of the whole Council has completed consideration of the Bill and its report is adopted by the Council, the Bill will be set down for the Third Reading.
Meanwhile, the Banking (Amendment) Bill 2025, the Firearms and Ammunition (Amendment) Bill 2025, the Promotion of Recycling and Proper Disposal of Products (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill 2025, the Import and Export (Amendment) Bill 2025 and the Housing (Amendment) Bill 2025 will be introduced into the Council for the First Reading and the Second Reading. The Second Reading debates on the Bills will be adjourned.
On Members’ motions, Mr Lai Tung-kwok will move a motion on enhancing the handling of non-refoulement claims. The motion is set out in Appendix 1. Mr Chan Hak-kan, Dr Hoey Simon Lee and Mr Tang Ka-piu will move separate amendments to Mr Lai’s motion.
Mr Shiu Ka-fai will move a motion on enhancing the measures on the importation of manpower. The motion is set out in Appendix 2. Dr Ngan Man-yu and Mr Lee Chun-keung will move separate amendments to Mr Shiu’s motion.
Members will also ask the Government 22 questions on various policy areas, six of which require oral replies.
The agenda of the above meeting can be obtained via the LegCo Website (www.legco.gov.hk). Members of the public can watch or listen to the meeting via the “Webcast” system on the LegCo Website. To observe the proceedings of the meeting at the LegCo Complex, members of the public may call 3919 3399 during office hours to reserve seats. read more