The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (December 10) said that a kind of prepackaged date has been found to contain a preservative, sulphur dioxide, that was not declared on the product's food label, in breach of the food labelling regulations. Follow-up is in progress.

     Product details are as follows:

Product: Dates
Brand: Not available in English
Manufacturer: Not available in English
Net content: 1 catty/604 grams
Best-before date: December 28, 2019

     "The CFS took the above-mentioned sample from a shop in Sham Shui Po for testing under its routine Food Surveillance Programme. The test result showed that the sample contained sulphur dioxide which was undeclared on its food label. The CFS has informed the vendor concerned of the irregularity and instructed it to stop sale and remove from shelves the affected batch of the product. Should there be sufficient evidence, prosecution will be instituted. The CFS is also tracing the source of the affected product," a CFS spokesman said.

     The spokesman pointed out that although the level of sulphur dioxide contained (230 parts per million) in the above-mentioned sample is within the legal limit, susceptible individuals who are allergic to sulphur dioxide may experience breathing difficulties, headache and nausea if they consume this kind of food.

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

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

Attention duty announcers of radio and TV stations:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible and repeat it at suitable intervals:

     The inter-departmental help desks set up by Eastern District Office and Wan Chai District Office at the accident and emergency departments in Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital and Ruttonjee Hospital have now been stood down.

     The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, attended the opening ceremony of the 34th Passive and Low Energy Architecture (PLEA) Conference at the Chinese University of Hong Kong this morning (December 10). She welcomed the participation of more than 300 academics, researchers, professionals and students from over 50 countries and regions in the three-day conference to promote bioclimatic design and sustainable architecture. Addressing the opening ceremony, she said that Hong Kong is committed to improving the built environment through a series of measures covering areas such as the law, technology and planning to develop Hong Kong as a more liveable, competitive and sustainable city.

     Presenting the 2018 Annual Awards at the ceremony, Mrs Lam said she was encouraged by the recognition given to a government department and several current and former government officials. The Architectural Services Department was one of the awardees in the organisation category for many of its innovative passive and low-energy architecture projects. In the individual category, the Secretary for the Environment, Mr Wong Kam-sing, a keen advocate of green buildings as an architect for many years, received an award. In addition, former Deputy Director of Housing Ms Ada Fung and former Chief Architect of the Housing Department Mr John Ng jointly received an award for their contributions to provide and improve low-cost and low-energy public housing. 

     The first PLEA conference was held in 1982 and an annual conference has been conducted in various places around the world over the years to promote the application of natural and innovative techniques for sustainable architecture and design. Hosted in Hong Kong for the first time, the conference was organised by the Chinese University of Hong Kong and the PLEA Association among other institutions.

     The Lands Department announced today (December 10) that in respect of the tender for the site New Kowloon Inland Lot No. 6574 at Kai Tak Area 4B Site 3, Kai Tak, Kowloon, which was awarded on November 7 to the successful tenderer, Voyage Mile Limited (parent company: Wheelock Properties Limited, New World Development Company Limited, Henderson Land Development Company Limited and Empire Development Hong Kong (BVI) Limited), on a 50-year land grant at a premium of $8,333 million, the tender amounts submitted by the unsuccessful tenderers in descending order are published on an anonymous basis as follows:
     
(1) $6,831,011,232
(2) $6,682,000,000
(3) $6,618,800,000
(4) $5,880,000,000
(5) $5,111,000,000
(6) $4,200,000,000
(7) $4,180,000,000

     The information disclosed in this press release is for information only.
     

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 announced today (December 10) that Yuen Long Swimming Pool in Yuen Long District has been temporarily closed for cleaning and superchlorination following the discovery of a small amount of vomit in the pool.

     It will be reopened at 6.30am tomorrow.

     The department appeals to swimmers to be considerate and to keep the swimming pools clean. They are advised not to swim after a full meal and should use the toilet facilities if necessary before swimming.