Following is the speech by the Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, at the Grand Opening of Hong Kong Ocean Park Marriott Hotel today (February 19):

     May I now say a few words in English. I am pleased to be here tonight at the Grand Opening of the Hong Kong Ocean Park Marriott Hotel. The opening of Hong Kong Ocean Park Marriott Hotel is one of the important milestones to transform the Ocean Park into a world-class resort destination. It enriches the offerings of the Park, making it more attractive for visitors to stay in Southern District, as well as for family tourists, MICE events and overseas school excursion programmes. I am confident that the opening of this new Marriott Hotel will help propel the development of the Ocean Park further. I wish the hotel and the Ocean Park all the best in the years to come and everyone a very enjoyable evening. Thank you very much.

        

     â€‹The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (February 19) said that following further investigation on the incident of American prepackaged cereal products containing allergens, gluten and wheat, undeclared on the products' food labels, it was found that the distributor/importer concerned had imported and sold a total of three batches of the two kinds of affected products (two of the batches being recalled by a retailer already announced earlier). The CFS urged consumers who are allergic to gluten or wheat not to consume the products concerned and the trade should stop using or selling the affected products immediately if they possess them.

     Product details are as follows:

(1) Product name: Choco Chimps
Brand: Nature's Path EnviroKidz
Place of origin: USA
Distributor/Importer : Rainbow Asset Ltd
Net weight: 10 ounces (284 grams) per box
Best-before date: August 27, 2019

(2) Product name: Gorilla Munch
Brand: Nature's Path EnviroKidz
Place of origin: USA
Distributor/Importer : Rainbow Asset Ltd
Net weight: 10 ounces (284 grams) per box
Best-before dates: August 24 (additional batch) and September 21, 2019

     "The CFS announced earlier that two batches of prepackaged cereal products were to be recalled as they might contain allergens, gluten and wheat, but they were not declared on the products' food labels. The CFS' follow-up investigation found that the distributor concerned, which was also the importer, had imported the abovementioned batches of affected products and were all sold to different vendors (including supermarkets, retail outlets and organisations). The CFS has instructed the distributor/importer to initiate a recall of the abovementioned products. Enquiries about the recall can be made to the distributor's/importer's hotline at 2898 3252 during office hours or via email at: enquiry@rainbowhk.com.hk," a spokesman for the CFS said.

     "Gluten and wheat are known food allergens. Those who are allergic to gluten or wheat may develop symptoms like vomiting, diarrhoea, asthma and rash upon consumption. In severe cases anaphylactic shock may even develop," the spokesman said further.

     The spokesman advised consumers who are allergic to gluten or wheat not to eat the products, and to seek medical treatment if they feel unwell after taking the food. The trade should also stop using or selling the above batches of the affected products immediately should they possess them.

     The Food and Drugs (Composition and Labelling) Regulations (Cap 132W) require that all prepackaged food for sale in Hong Kong should list out the food ingredients in its list of ingredients. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $50,000 and six months' imprisonment.

     The CFS will alert the trade, continue to follow up on the incident and take appropriate action. Investigation is ongoing.

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

     Members of the Legislative Council (LegCo) held a meeting today (February 19) with members of the Sha Tin District Council (DC) at the LegCo Complex to discuss and exchange views on matters of mutual interest.
 
     During the meeting, LegCo Members discussed and exchanged views with DC members on the impact of public and private burial facilities in the Sha Tin District on the local community and the relevant mitigation proposals; renovation of the market in Pok Hong Estate; timetable for the commissioning of the MTR Shatin to Central Link (Tuen Ma Line); introduction of new bus routes and rationalisation of the existing routes in Sha Tin to strengthen bus services between Shatin and the Airport and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Hong Kong Port; and the impact of Link's further disposal of shopping malls and markets in public housing estates on the livelihood of residents of public housing.
 
     The meeting was convened by Mr Chan Chi-chuen and Dr Fernando Cheung, and attended by Mr Steven Ho, Mr Yiu Si-wing, Dr Lo Wai-kwok, Mr Alvin Yeung, Mr Lam Cheuk-ting, Mr Holden Chow, Mr Shiu Ka-fai, Mr Lau Kwok-fan and Mr Tony Tse.
 

      

     The Secretary for Food and Health, Professor Sophia Chan, today (February 19) visited Sai Kung District to learn about the services provided by the general out-patient clinic and hygiene condition at the local market. She also met with the members of the Sai Kung District Council.
 
     Accompanied by the Chairman of Sai Kung District Council, Mr George Ng, and the District Officer (Sai Kung), Mr David Chiu, Professor Chan first visited the Mona Fong General Out-patient Clinic in Sai Kung to view its services and facilities. She also took the opportunity to explore how to make better use of the clinic's space and provide additional facilities, so that it can offer optimal medical services to better suit the needs of the community.
 
     She said, "Most of the clinics under the Department of Health (DH) were built several decades ago, therefore the facilities as well as the environment are ageing. Starting from 2019/20, we will carry out renewal and improvement works at the clinics under the DH by phases to ensure that people can receive quality medical services in a comfortable environment."

     Professor Chan later visited Sai Kung Market to see its hygiene condition and examine the feasibility of installing elevators, escalators and additional air-conditioning systems.
 
     She said, "The Budget last year earmarked $2 billion to implement the Market Modernisation Programme, which has commenced. The Government is conducting a comprehensive review of the existing public markets with a view to improving the relevant facilities, enhancing the markets' environment and providing better municipal facilities and services to the public."
 
     Concluding the visit, Professor Chan met with members of Sai Kung District Council to listen to their views on various healthcare and environmental hygiene issues.

            

     Hong Kong Customs yesterday (February 18) seized about 30 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds with an estimated market value of about $6.2 million at Hong Kong International Airport.

     A male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Vancouver, Canada, yesterday evening. During Customs clearance, the batch of suspected cannabis buds was found concealed inside his two suitcases. The man was then arrested.

     The arrested man, aged 36, has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. He will appear at West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (February 20).

     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.

     Customs also reminds that cannabis and tetrahydro-cannabinol (THC) are classified as dangerous drugs under the Ordinance. Importation of products (including food and drinks) containing cannabis or THC into Hong Kong is prohibited unless the relevant provisions in the Ordinance are complied with. In order to avoid breaching the law inadvertently, special attention should be paid to the packaging labels of food and drinks.

     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).