The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) today (June 1) removed one induction cooker model, one refrigerating appliance model and one storage type electric water heater model from the record of listed models under the Energy Efficiency (Labelling of Products) Ordinance. Supply of these products is no longer allowed in Hong Kong with immediate effect.
 
     Details of these products are as follows:
 
Induction cooker

 
Refrigerating appliance

 
Storage type electric water heater

 
     The EMSD administers the Mandatory Energy Efficiency Labelling Scheme in accordance with the Ordinance and selects samples of the listed models regularly for conducting compliance monitoring tests to check whether they conform with the energy efficiency and performance characteristics submitted to the EMSD. As the test results of the products concerned showed that they failed to reach the relevant energy efficiency and/or performance characteristics, the EMSD has decided to remove these products from the record of listed models.
 
     The EMSD has served notices under the Ordinance to the importers concerned. The importers will publish newspaper notices respectively, announcing the termination of supply of the products concerned in Hong Kong.
 
     Members of the public can contact the above importers for enquiries.

     The spokesperson for Queen Mary Hospital (QMH) made the following announcement today (June 1) regarding a collapsed tree found within the hospital compound:
 
     At around 8.45am today, the hospital received a report that a tree collapsed owing to the inclement weather this morning and lay on a carriageway next to Administration Block. Security guards immediately cordoned off the nearby area of the tree. The incident did not affect the hospital service. No patients or staff were injured and no reports on vehicle damage were received. The Fire Services Department assisted to clear the tree after receiving the report. The road concerned has already been reopened. The hospital has requested certified arborist to further inspect and follow up. QMH is very concerned about the incident and has reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office via the Advance Incident Reporting System.
 
     QMH arranges for certified arborists to inspect all trees within the hospital compound regularly. The last inspection conducted for the tree concerned was in March and early May. There was no abnormality found. The hospital has requested certified arborist to inspect all other trees located within the hospital compound so as to ensure the safety of patients and staff.

     Members of the public are invited to visit the new phase of the Arts Fun Fair to be launched by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) at Kowloon Park from this Sunday (June 4). Visitors can enjoy the beautiful scenery of the park while appreciating a wide range of handicrafts and artworks.
 
     The 25th phase of the Arts Fun Fair at Kowloon Park runs from June 4 until May 26 next year, and will be open from 1pm to 7pm on Sundays and public holidays at the park's Loggia. There will be 16 stalls displaying and selling craftworks including fabric crafts, floral artworks and ornaments, as well as art services including painting and portrait sketching.
 
     With the aim of enhancing public interest in the arts and enriching the artistic atmosphere in Hong Kong, the Arts Fun Fair makes the park an even more appealing and enjoyable place for visitors.
 
     Apart from Kowloon Park, another Arts Corner is being held at Hong Kong Park while a similar one in Victoria Park will invite applications starting from today (June 1).
 
     The 23rd phase of the Hong Kong Park's Arts Corner is now open from noon to 6pm every Saturday, Sunday and public holiday. It will continue until December 31 at the outdoor area near the Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware inside the park. It comprises 10 stalls displaying and selling handcrafts such as wooden crafts and ornaments, as well as providing arts services including sketching and photography.

     The 22nd phase of the Arts Corner at Victoria Park will run from September 10 to August 25, 2024, and will be open from 10am to 6pm on Sundays and public holidays at the park's bandstand. Individuals or non-profit making organisations (any charitable organisation which is exempt from tax under section 88 of the Inland Revenue Ordinance) interested in operating stalls in this new round of the Victoria Park Arts Corner are welcome to submit applications from today until June 23. Prospectuses and application forms can be obtained at the Victoria Park Management Office, 1 Hing Fat Street, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, or the Wan Chai District Leisure Services Office, 9/F Lockhart Road Municipal Services Building, 225 Hennessy Road, Wan Chai, or downloaded from the park's website.
 
     For enquiries, please call 2724 3344 (Kowloon Park), 2521 5041 (Hong Kong Park), or 2890 5824 (Victoria Park).

    

     A Government spokesman today (June 1) reminded the food trade and members of the public that the Harmful Substances in Food (Amendment) Regulation 2021 (the Amendment Regulation) comes into operation in two phases – the provisions stipulating the maximum levels of harmful substances in food have commenced today while the provisions relating to specifying partially hydrogenated oils (PHO), the main source of industrially produced trans fatty acids (IP-TFAs), as a prohibited substance in food, and the related marking and labelling requirement will be effective on December 1. The Amendment Regulation enhances the regulation of harmful substances such as industrially produced trans fats and mycotoxins in food with a view to further safeguarding food safety in Hong Kong.
 
     The spokesman said, "The Amendment Regulation updates and strengthens the regulatory control of three types of mycotoxins, i.e. aflatoxins, deoxynivalenol (also known as vomitoxin) and patulin, in food, as well as sets or updates the maximum levels for five other harmful substances (i.e. benzo[a]pyrene, glycidyl fatty acid esters, melamine, 3-monochloropropane-1,2-diol and erucic acid) in edible fats and oils, condiments or formula products intended for infants. The provisions stipulating the maximum levels of these substances in food came into force today."

     Moreover, to meet the World Health Organization's goal of eliminating IP-TFAs from the global food supply by 2023, and in line with one of the key measures under Towards 2025: Strategy and Action Plan to Prevent and Control Non-communicable Disease in Hong Kong, announced by the Government in 2018, the Amendment Regulation will also impose a ban on PHO in the local food supply, so as to eliminate IP-TFAs at source to protect public health. The relevant provisions will come into operation on December 1.

     Along with the Amendment Regulation, the Food and Drugs (Composition and Labelling) (Amendment) Regulation 2021 stipulates that any prepackaged food containing hydrogenated oils, e.g. fully hydrogenated oil, must be indicated accordingly in the list of ingredients. It will commence on the same date as the provisions on banning PHO, i.e. December 1.

     The spokesman reminded the trade to get prepared for the above new requirements. For details, please refer to www.cfs.gov.hk/english/whatsnew/whatsnew_fstr/whatsnew_fstr_Food_Regulations_Harmful_Substances.html.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) will present a recital by French pianist, Lise de la Salle, in mid-July when this sought-after young musician will perform music of Mozart, Ravel, Fauré and Chopin at the Concert Hall of Hong Kong City Hall.
 
     With the theme "Paris – City of Lights", de la Salle will perform an array of classical masterpieces in the recital. The programme comprises Mozart's "Rondo in D, K. 485" and "Twelve Variations on 'Ah vous dirai-je, maman', K. 265"; three pieces from Ravel's "Miroirs" – "Une barque sur l'océan", "Oiseaux tristes" and "Alborada del gracioso"; Fauré's "Barcarolle No. 4 in A-flat, Op. 44" and "Barcarolle No. 5 in F-sharp minor, Op. 66"; as well as Chopin's "Ballade No. 1 in G minor, Op. 23" and "Ballade No. 4 in F minor, Op. 52".

     Through her award-winning recordings and international concert appearances, de la Salle has established herself as a coveted musician. She started the piano at the age of 4 and gave her first concert five years later in a live broadcast on Radio France. In 2014, she became the first Artist-in-Residence of the Zurich Opera. Throughout the years, de la Salle has performed with many of the world's leading orchestras including the London Symphony Orchestra, Vienna Symphony, Orchestre National de France and more. Her playing inspired a critic of French newspaper Le Monde to write "Lise de la Salle reached a level of such obviousness, that it prevents us from imagining any other possible interpretation".
 
     The "Piano Recital by Lise de la Salle" will be staged at 8pm on July 17 (Monday) at the Concert Hall of Hong Kong City Hall. Tickets priced at $200, $280, $350 and $420 are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone bookings, please call 3166 1288. For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2268 7321 or visit
www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/music/programs_1510.html.
 
     A pre-concert talk (in Cantonese), hosted by music critic Ernest Wan, will be held at 6.45pm on July 17 at the Committee Room North, 7/F, High Block, Hong Kong City Hall. Admission is free with limited seats available on a first-come, first-served basis.
 
     Moreover, a masterclass (conducted in English) jointly organised by the LCSD and the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (HKAPA) will be held at 2pm on July 16 (Sunday) at the Recital Hall of the HKAPA. There, de la Salle will share her musicianship and experiences with young pianists and the audience. Admission is free, and online registration is available on a first-come, first-served basis. For details, please visit the above-mentioned website.