â€‹The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (July 3) announced the results of a recently completed targeted food surveillance project on Vibrio parahaemolyticus in ready-to-eat food. All samples passed the test.

     A total of 300 samples of ready-to-eat food, including cooked seafood such as fish, crustaceans and shellfish and raw foods such as raw oysters, sashimi and sushi, were collected from different retailers, including online retailers and food factories, for testing for Vibrio parahaemolyticus this year.

     A spokesman for the CFS said, "Vibrio parahaemolyticus, a common bacterium that can cause food poisoning, is naturally present in seawater and often found in seafood. Food poisoning caused by this pathogenic bacterium is usually associated with consumption of undercooked or raw seafood, in particular shellfish, or improperly handled food that is contaminated with bacteria."

     Common symptoms of food poisoning caused by Vibrio parahaemolyticus, including diarrhoea, vomiting, mild fever and abdominal pain, usually occur within one or two days after consumption of contaminated food. Recovery is usually within a few days. Nonetheless, children, the elderly, pregnant women and those with a weaker immune system are more likely to develop severe symptoms.

     The spokesman said, "Despite the fact that the test results of the samples were all satisfactory, the trade and the public should not take the risk lightly. To prevent food poisoning caused by Vibrio parahaemolyticus, the food trade should be reminded that raw oysters, sashimi and sushi sold on the premises should be separated from other food and kept in a refrigerator at a temperature between 0 and 4 degrees Celsius. To avoid cross contamination, raw food should be prepared only at specified areas in a food preparation room. Exclusive cutting boards and knives should be used and the utensils should be cleaned and disinfected thoroughly before handling different types of raw food. Cooking aquatic products thoroughly is the only way to prevent diseases caused by harmful microorganisms and parasites. Overproduction should also be avoided as the quality of food may be affected when the production capacity is overlooked."

     The spokesman reminded consumers to patronise hygienic and reliable licensed food premises and consume ready-to-eat food as soon as possible after purchase. The elderly, children, pregnant women and those with a weaker immune system should avoid consuming high-risk food, including inadequately cooked food.

     Hong Kong Customs seized about 228 litres and 16 000 cartridges of suspected nicotine oil without an import licence with an estimated market value of about $1.5 million at Lok Ma Chau Control Point on July 1.

     Customs officers intercepted an incoming container truck at Lok Ma Chau Control Point for inspection in the afternoon on July 1 and seized the batch of suspected nicotine oil without an import licence.

     The 66-year-old male driver was arrested. Investigation is ongoing.

     Under the Import and Export Ordinance, any person who imports pharmaceutical products without a valid import licence commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for two years.

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

  

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 has announced that the lifesaving services at Cafeteria New Beach and Cafeteria Old Beach in Tuen Mun District resumed today (July 3). The lifesaving services at these beaches were suspended earlier due to an insufficient number of lifeguards on duty. 
 

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Housing Authority:
 
     The Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA) has been exploring ways to utilise public housing resources with the aim of increasing housing supply. As a result of the phasing-out programme for the HS1 Design blocks of Housing for Senior Citizens (HSC) in public rental housing (PRH) estates, ancillary facilities of these blocks become under-utilised in recent years. The HA has successfully converted these facilities into PRH, providing 215 flats so far.
 
     HSC was introduced in the 1990s. The HS1 Design block was the earliest design, making use of internal partitioning of a normal PRH flat into two to four smaller units with shared toilet and kitchen facilities. Provision of 24-hour welfare worker services was also available in the housing blocks. As popularity of this type of HSC has remained low, the HA decided to gradually phase out the units. The HA has so far recovered 4 388 HS1 units and converted them into 1 615 PRH flats.
 
     "As a result of the HS1 Phasing-out Programme and the cessation of welfare worker services, a number of ancillary facilities, such as warden offices, common/activity rooms, quarters for welfare workers and storerooms become under-utilised. We have taken the opportunity to re-examine the usage of these facilities and found them technically feasible for conversion to normal PRH flats," a spokesman for the HA said today (July 3).
 
     Up to March, a total of 215 PRH flats have been yielded through conversion of the under-utilised facilities. The flats are scattered in 33 housing estates, including estates under the Tenants Purchase Scheme (TPS). Among them, 37 flats were subsequently purchased by the sitting tenants under the TPS, generating sales revenue of about $14 million to the HA.
 
     "We will closely monitor the usage of the remaining ancillary facilities in HS1 Design blocks and continue to identify suitable facilities for conversion to PRH to maximise utilisation of housing resources," the spokesman said.

     The following is issued on behalf of the Commission of Inquiry into the Construction Works at and near the Hung Hom Station Extension under the Shatin to Central Link Project:

     The Commission of Inquiry into the Construction Works at and near the Hung Hom Station Extension under the Shatin to Central Link Project will submit a final report on its findings and recommendations to the Chief Executive on or before November 29, 2019, upon approval of an extension of time by the Chief Executive in Council yesterday (July 2).

     On February 19, 2019, the Chief Executive in Council expanded the terms of reference of the Commission to also inquire into the problems concerning the construction works at the North Approach Tunnels, the South Approach Tunnels and the Hung Hom Stabling Sidings under the Shatin to Central Link Project, and extended the date of submission of the Commission's final report to August 30, 2019. Having regard to its latest work progress and work plan, the Commission has requested an extension of time to submit its final report to the Chief Executive by November 29, 2019.

     The Commission plans to resume the substantive hearing in the second half of September 2019 and finish all expert evidence and, if necessary, further factual evidence, as well as all closing submissions by mid-October 2019.