Press Releases

Transcript of SHWF on expired food

Following is the transcript (English portion) of a media session by the Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food, Dr York Chow, after attending Eastern District Year-end cleaning activity today (January 27):

Reporter: On the selling of expired food, is the administration considering tightening the legislation?

Dr Chow: At the moment, we have the legislation to penalise anybody who is selling the food or drugs that are improperly labelled and also expired. We do have the legislation that we can penalise anybody who has those sorts of products in the market. So, in a way, the court can actually impose a penalty up to $50,000 and imprisonment of six months.

Reporter: So far, you have found that many of the supermarkets are actually selling those expired food, do you think the situation is out of control?

Dr Chow: I don't think so but I think it is important to have co-operation between the trade as well as the consumers. The trade should have the responsibility to ensure that their products are safe and also the expiry dates are being observed. The consumers should also note that they should observe the conditions of the food they are purchasing. If they see any of those products on the shelves are expired, they should actually tell those people who sell it. At the same time, if they keep on displaying them on the shelves, they should actually inform our Government.

Reporter: Do you think law enforcement is enough?

Dr Chow: Law enforcement is always a response to complaints and to our regular investigation and patrol of our market. So, it is very important that we have the co-operation between the citizens and the Government.

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript)



Ends/Friday, January 27, 2006
Issued at HKT 17:38

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