Tag Archives: China

     The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (September 26) that a fresh beef sample was found to contain sulphur dioxide, a preservative which is not permitted to be used in fresh meat. The CFS is following up on the case.

     A spokesman for the CFS said, “The CFS took the fresh beef sample from a fresh provision shop (FPS) at the Sunshine City market in Ma On Shan for testing under its routine Food Surveillance Programme. The test result showed that the sample contained sulphur dioxide at a level of 13 parts per million. The CFS is following up with the FPS concerned about the irregularity. Should there be sufficient evidence, prosecution will be instituted.”

     According to the Preservatives in Food Regulation (Cap. 132BD), it is an offence to add sulphur dioxide to fresh or chilled meat. The maximum penalty is a $50,000 fine and six months’ imprisonment.

     Sulphur dioxide is a preservative which can be used in a variety of foods including dried vegetables, dried fruits, pickled vegetables and salted fish products, but under the Regulation it is not permitted in fresh or chilled meat. Individual meat traders have been found illegally using sulphur dioxide to make meat look fresher. Sulphur dioxide is water-soluble, and most of it can be removed through washing and cooking. However, susceptible individuals who are allergic to this preservative may experience breathing difficulties, headaches and nausea after consumption.

     The spokesman reminded the food trade to comply with the law and not to sell fresh or chilled meat adulterated with sulphur dioxide. Members of the public should purchase meat from reliable market stalls or FPSs. They should avoid buying or consuming meat which is unnaturally red and maintain a balanced diet to avoid malnutrition or excessive exposure to chemicals from a small range of food items.

     â€‹The CFS will continue to follow up on the case and take appropriate action. The investigation is ongoing. read more

     Police will implement special traffic arrangements on Hong Kong Island and Kowloon to facilitate the National Day Fireworks Display to be held on October 1 (Tuesday). Kowloon ——- Crowd safety management measures… read more

     â€‹To celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, “Celebration of National Day – The Next Generation Chorus Performance” organised by the Tourism Commission, with East Union Foundation Limited as an implementing organisation, will be held in Art Park of the West Kowloon Cultural District (WKCD) from 8.30pm to 9.10pm on September 30 (Monday).
      
     The show will cover a wide array of performances, including a drone show with 2 099 drones symbolising “2024” in the year of 2024 and “75” from the 75th National Day, 1 000 students singing patriotic songs on site, and performances by multiple youth groups. The show will showcase the country’s achievements through three themes, namely “Standing Up”, “Growing Prosperous”, and “Becoming Strong”. In addition, Ms Cally Kwong will sing the patriotic education theme song “Our Home”.
      
     Due to space constraints, members of the public may enjoy the drone show from certain parts of the lawn areas in the WKCD. As there may be a restricted view of the drone show in some other areas in the WKCD, members of the public may also enjoy the show on TV screens at designated viewing areas (map enclosed). Participants are advised to use public transport and avoid driving private cars to the vicinity of the WKCD whenever possible. During the show, they should keep public areas clean and take care of public property. Participants are also advised to pay attention to safety in crowded places.
      
     RTHK TV 32, China Central Television, HOY TV, Now TV, Phoenix TV, TVB, ViuTV will live broadcast the show, and members of the public can enjoy the show at home to celebrate National Day.
      
     As the event may be affected by weather conditions, participants should pay attention to public announcements on the event day to obtain the latest information of the event. read more

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:      Regarding an earlier announcement on Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE) confirmed cases in a medical and geriatrics ward, the spokesperson for Shatin Hosp… read more

     Hong Kong Customs detected two suspected smuggling cases involving ocean-going vessels on September 9 and 19. Large batches of suspected smuggled goods with a total estimated market value of about $150 million were seized.

     Through intelligence analysis and risk assessment, Customs discovered that criminals intended to use ocean-going vessels to smuggle goods. Strategies were thus formulated, with two suspicious containers scheduled to depart from Hong Kong to Singapore, and one suspicious container prepared to be shipped to Taiwan, via ocean-going vessels selected for inspection.

     Customs inspected the three containers that were declared as carrying “household electric items” and “screen, wafer of IC, backlight, computer, game console base, cosmetics and DVD player” on September 9 and 19. Upon examinations, Customs officers found large batches of suspected smuggled goods, including mobile phones, accessories, cosmetics, circuit boards and integrated circuits, in the containers.

     An investigation is ongoing. The likelihood of arrests is not ruled out.

     Being a government department primarily responsible for tackling smuggling activities, Customs has long been combating various smuggling activities at the forefront. Customs will keep up its enforcement action and continue to fiercely combat sea smuggling activities through proactive risk management and intelligence-based enforcement strategies, and carry out targeted anti-smuggling operations at suitable times to disrupt relevant crimes.

     Smuggling is a serious offence. Under the Import and Export Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing or exporting unmanifested cargo is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years upon conviction.

     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) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).