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CFS Reports Satisfactory Results for Lunar New Year Food Safety, One Sample Found Unsafe

HK

CFS Reports Satisfactory Results for Lunar New Year Food Safety, One Sample Found Unsafe
HK

HK

CFS Reports Satisfactory Results for Lunar New Year Food Safety, One Sample Found Unsafe

2025-01-22 15:00 Last Updated At:15:08

Centre for Food Safety announces test results of Lunar New Year food (second phase)

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (January 22) announced the test results of a recently completed seasonal food surveillance project on Lunar New Year (LNY) food (second phase). The test results of around 180 samples collected were satisfactory except for one sample that was announced earlier.

A spokesman for the CFS said, "The CFS has conducted this seasonal food surveillance project in two phases, and the first-phase test results were announced last month. With the LNY around the corner, the CFS has completed the second phase of the surveillance project on LNY food. Steamed puddings (e.g. turnip puddings and festive cakes), fried dumplings (e.g. sesame balls and crispy triangles), candies, glutinous rice balls, nuts, pistachio nuts, melon seeds, vegetarian dishes and dried aquatic products were collected from different retailers (including online retailers) for chemical analysis. Chemical tests targeted preservatives, colouring matters, antioxidants, veterinary drug residue, etc."

The unsatisfactory food sample was a prepackaged candied winter melon sample detected with non-permitted preservatives. The CFS has taken follow-up action on the above-mentioned unsatisfactory sample including informing the vendor concerned of the test result, instructing them to stop selling the affected food item, and tracing the source of the food item in question.

The spokesman urged the food trade to comply with the relevant laws and regulations in the preparation of food and production of labels. They should follow Good Manufacturing Practice and use permitted food additives only in an appropriate manner. Retailers should source food from reliable suppliers, and conduct quality checks of incoming materials and end products to ensure that ingredients used are within legal standards. In addition, the food trade should maintain proper records in accordance with the requirements of the Food Safety Ordinance to allow source tracing if needed.

The spokesman also advised consumers to buy LNY food from reliable retailers with good hygiene conditions; make sure the packaging of prepackaged cakes and snacks is intact and the products have not expired; refer to the nutrition labels on the sugar, salt (sodium) and fat content, etc, for making healthy choices; and pay attention to the hygiene conditions of food containers and the personal hygiene of staff when buying loose-packed food (e.g. candied lotus seeds, nuts and melon seeds).

"Consumers should choose food products with natural colours. Bright white pistachios may have been bleached and melon seeds with unnatural gloss may have had mineral oil added. Consumption of these food products can cause gastrointestinal discomfort," the spokesman said.

"Festive cakes that are not for immediate consumption should be kept refrigerated or stored according to the instructions on the package, and should be eaten before they expire. Reheat hot-served festive cakes thoroughly before consumption, consume it as soon as possible and avoid prolonged exposure of the food at room temperature. Nuts and melon seeds should not be kept for a long time, and those with mould or an abnormal smell or taste should not be eaten," he added.

The spokesman reminded members of the public to maintain a balanced diet and avoid excessive consumption of LNY food that is high in energy, sugar, salt or fat.

Please visit the CFS website (www.cfs.gov.hk/seasonalfood) for more food safety information about seasonal food.

Centre for Food Safety announces test results of Lunar New Year food (second phase)  Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Centre for Food Safety announces test results of Lunar New Year food (second phase) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

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Home Affairs Department Opens 18 Temporary Cold Shelters Amid Cold Weather Warnings

2025-02-09 17:30 Last Updated At:17:38

HAD opens temporary cold shelters

​In view of the cold weather, the Home Affairs Department has opened 18 temporary cold shelters in various districts today (February 9) for people in need of the service. The temporary shelters will remain open when the Cold Weather Warning is in force.

Clean mattresses and blankets/quilts, hot meals and hot water will be provided to shelter users free of charge during the opening of the temporary shelters.

To ensure that cold shelter users can rest in a quiet and undisturbed environment, members of the public or agencies wishing to make donations to shelter users are requested to register with the staff of the shelter first. Donors will then be directed to place the donated items at a specified indoor location. The staff will help notify the shelter users to collect the items on their own.

Anyone seeking temporary refuge, or those with any questions about the donation arrangements at the cold shelters, may call the department's hotline 25728427 for more information.

The 18 temporary cold shelters are located at:

Hong Kong Island:

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Central and Western:

Sai Ying Pun Community Complex Community Hall

3/F, Sai Ying Pun Community Complex,

2 High Street, Sai Ying Pun

Eastern:

Causeway Bay Community Centre

3/F, 7 Fook Yum Road, Causeway Bay

Southern:

Lei Tung Community Hall

Lei Tung Estate, Ap Lei Chau

Wan Chai:

Wan Chai Activities Centre

LG/F, Wan Chai Market, 258 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai

Kowloon:

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Kowloon City:

Hung Hom Community Hall

1/F, Kowloon City Government Offices,

42 Bailey Street, Hung Hom

Kwun Tong:

Lam Tin (West) Estate Community Centre

71 Kai Tin Road, Lam Tin

Sham Shui Po:

Nam Cheong District Community Centre

1 Cheong San Lane, Sham Shui Po

Wong Tai Sin:

Tsz Wan Shan (South) Estate Community Centre

45 Wan Wah Street, Tsz Wan Shan

Yau Tsim Mong:

Henry G Leong Yaumatei Community Centre

60 Public Square Street, Yau Ma Tei

New Territories:

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Islands:

Tung Chung Community Hall

G/F, Tung Chung Municipal Services Building, 39 Man Tung Road, Tung Chung

Kwai Tsing:

Tai Wo Hau Estate Community Centre

15 Tai Wo Hau Road, Kwai Chung

North:

Cheung Wah Community Hall

Cheung Wah Estate, Fanling

Sai Kung:

Hang Hau Community Hall

G/F, Sai Kung Tseung Kwan O Government Complex,

38 Pui Shing Road, Hang Hau, Tseung Kwan O

Sha Tin:

Lung Hang Estate Community Centre

Lung Hang Estate, Sha Tin

Tai Po:

Tai Po Community Centre

2 Heung Sze Wui Street, Tai Po

Tsuen Wan:

Lei Muk Shue Community Hall

G/F, Hong Shue House, Lei Muk Shue Estate, Tsuen Wan

Tuen Mun:

Butterfly Bay Community Centre

Butterfly Estate (near Tip Sum House), Tuen Mun

Yuen Long:

Long Ping Community Hall

Long Ping Estate, Yuen Long

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