Press Releases

SFH on local infant formula supply (with photos)

Following is the transcript of remarks made by the Secretary for Food and Health, Dr Ko Wing-man, at a media session after chairing a meeting on local infant formula supply at the lobby of West Wing, Central Government Offices, Tamar, today (January 25):

Secretary for Food and Health: We are very concerned about the reported shortage of infant formula supply in certain districts of Hong Kong due to seasonal fluctuation of local demand as well as purchases across the border. Therefore, I have just had a meeting, joined by the Secretary for Security, Mr Lai Tung-kwok, and the Chief Executive of the Consumer Council, Ms Gilly Wong, with representatives of all major suppliers of infant formula. We have discussed and come up with measures to address problems at the supply and retail level, and to address some undesirable practices at retail outlets.

On the supply level, all the major suppliers of infant formula, once again, reconfirmed their commitment and confidence to bring into Hong Kong adequate supply of infant formula over the Lunar New Year period. They have also taken into consideration local demand, the seasonal fluctuation of demand as well as demand from the cross-border purchases. At the retail level, we have sorted to build up a safety net to ensure that all Hong Kong consumers can buy infant formula through hotlines set up by all major suppliers. In some cases, suppliers also set up websites for online purchasing. Regarding the reported undesirable practices by some of the retailers, the suppliers will welcome consumers' complaints directed to their hotlines as well as information conveyed through the complaint hotline of the Consumer Council.

Through the above channels, we will monitor the situation and gather information and intelligence. If there are situations which raise the question of law abidance, relevant government departments will of course seek to take law enforcement actions. If undesirable practices are reported by the consumers to the suppliers, the suppliers will look into the situation. Depending on the situation, they will take appropriate measures. These measures might include warning, restriction of supply and even cessation of supply. Through all these measures, we hope that we can stabilise the situation as well as reassure our local consumers that there are adequate supply of infant formula over the Lunar New Year period.

Reporter: (On whether further restriction measures will be imposed)

Secretary for Food and Health: What I said was that upon receiving information or complaints regarding undesirable practices at the retail level, the suppliers will look into the situation. Depending on the situation, if necessary, they will take appropriate actions including warning, restriction and even cessation of supply. I think this is a very serious sanction to the individual retailers. We also appeal to our retailers to bear in mind the overall interests of Hong Kong and consumers, rather than the short-term interests of themselves.

Reporter: (On measures adopted in Macao)

Secretary for Food and Health: We noticed that there is a slightly different arrangement in Macao, involving the Government taken up a central co-ordinating role. In our discussion today, we noted that the situation in Macao is different from Hong Kong in several aspects, including the characteristics and size of the market and population size, etc. We have the consensus that the measures we have agreed today would be more appropriate to the Hong Kong situation for the time being.

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


Ends/Friday, January 25, 2013
Issued at HKT 21:33

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