Press Releases

Transcript of remarks by SFH

Following is the transcript of remarks made by the Secretary for Food and Health, Dr Ko Wing-man, after attending the Bone Marrow Donor Award Ceremony by the Hong Kong Bone Marrow Donor Registry of the Hong Kong Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service today (September 21):

Reporter: During the Golden Week period, on the restriction of milk powder, how do you think that will affect the supply and demand? Do you think it is a suitable time in October to do the stress test?

Secretary for Food and Health: Yes. We have earlier set up a committee involving stakeholders, including suppliers, retailers and consumer representatives (to look into the matter). The committee has already designed a method to conduct a stress test during the coming so-called Golden Week so as to test the preparation work that the suppliers and retailers have done. The stress test will examine whether the suppliers and retailers can withstand a sudden increase in demand of powdered formula in the market.

Reporter: Do you expect the demand to be higher during the said period?

Secretary for Food and Health: I do expect the demand for powdered formula would increase during the so-called Golden Week. We cannot predict the extent of the increase. That is why we need a stress test to see whether the supply chain could run smoothly to meet the fluctuating demand during that period.

Reporter: (on the food safety of mooncakes)

Secretary for Food and Health: The Centre for Food Safety in Hong Kong has a regular surveillance system to monitor the safety of food in the local market. Whenever there is festive season, a particular food may be more popular, the Centre for Food Safety will conduct a thematic survey on that type of food.

Reporter: The Accident & Emergency (A&E) Services are expected to operate in Tung Chung Hospital. Is there sufficient stuff?

Secretary for Food and Health: It is a regular practice for a Hong Kong healthcare delivery system to commission a new hospital in stages. Initially, the A&E Department of the North Lantau Hospital will operate for eight hours on a daily basis. Depending on the increase in demand of services, the services (of the North Lantau Hospital) will be gradually extended by stages. Thank you.

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

Ends/Saturday, September 21, 2013
Issued at HKT 16:22

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