Press Releases

HWFB will continue to enhance food safety

The Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food, Dr Yeoh Eng-kiong, said today (December 2) that the Health, Welfare and Food Bureau would continue to co-ordinate efforts among Government departments to ensure food safety.

"With the unremitting efforts of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) and the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) and the co-operation of seven other departments, we have ended the problem arising from illegal seafood wholesale activities at the Aberdeen Promenade. We are now in a much better position to protect public health from consumption of contaminated fish," Dr Yeoh said.

Replying to media questions, Dr Yeoh said he had asked the FEHD and AFCD to conduct more in-depth studies to assess the microbial counts in the waters around Hong Kong and to review the sterilisation mechanism of fish tank water to ensure the quality of live seafood.

"Obviously, the cleaner the source, the easier it is to maintain the quality and sterility of the water," he added, "but an effective mechanism to sterilise the water was needed because the water obtained from the sea would always contain bacteria and viruses."

Dr Yeoh called on the trade and members of the public to observe stringent health standards for food.

"It is in the interest of the trade and the public to work together with the Government to ensure safe food supply. The public themselves also have a role to play by patronising properly licensed food traders," he said.

Seven departments joined the action to regularise the seafood wholesale activities at Aberdeen Promenade. They were: Environmental Protection Department, Lands Department, Police, Southern District Office, Architectural Services Department, Marine Department and Transport Department.

Ends/Tuesday, December 2, 2003
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