Fresh beef sample found to contain sulphur dioxide
The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (February 10) that a fresh beef sample was found to contain sulphur dioxide, a preservative which is not permitted to be used in fresh meat. The CFS is following up on the incident.
A spokesman for the CFS said, "The CFS, under its routine Food Surveillance Programme, took the fresh beef sample from a fresh provision shop (FPS) at Nam Cheong Place Market in Sham Shui Po for testing. The test result showed that the sample contained sulphur dioxide at a level of 68 parts per million. The CFS is following up with the FPS concerned about the irregularity."
According to the Preservatives in Food Regulation (Cap. 132BD), it is an offence to add sulphur dioxide to fresh or chilled meat. The maximum penalty is a $50,000 fine and six months' imprisonment.
Sulphur dioxide is a preservative which can be used in a variety of foods including dried vegetables, dried fruits, pickled vegetables and salted fish products, but under the Regulation it is not permitted in fresh or chilled meat. Individual meat traders have been found illegally using sulphur dioxide to make meat look fresher. Sulphur dioxide is water-soluble, and most of it can be removed through washing and cooking. However, susceptible individuals who are allergic to this preservative may experience breathing difficulties, headaches and nausea after consumption.
The spokesman reminded the food trade to comply with the law and not to sell fresh or chilled meat adulterated with sulphur dioxide. Members of the public should purchase meat from reliable market stalls or FPSs. They should avoid buying or consuming meat which is unnaturally red, and maintain a balanced diet to avoid malnutrition or excessive exposure to chemicals from a small range of food items.
The CFS will continue to follow up on the incident and take appropriate action. The investigation is ongoing.
Opening ceremony of Diversity and Inclusion Arts Festival and Diverse Abilities · Inclusive Workplace Recognition Scheme held today
The Labour and Welfare Bureau (LWB) held the opening ceremony of the Diversity and Inclusion Arts Festival and Diverse Abilities · Inclusive Workplace Recognition Scheme today (March 25) at the Tea House Theatre of the West Kowloon Cultural District Xiqu Centre. The Arts Festival provides a platform for persons with disabilities (PWDs) to showcase their artistic talents, while the Recognition Scheme aims to foster the development of their diverse talents and encourage support of the community to inclusive workplaces, with an aim to sprinkling positivity to the society through caring and inclusivity.
The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun; the Vice Chairperson of the Arts with the Disabled Association Hong Kong (ADAHK), Ms Grace Cheng; Head of Charities (Healthy Community) of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, Ms Imelda Chan; the Commissioner for Rehabilitation of LWB, Mr Fletch Chan; the Vice-Chairman of the Rehabilitation Advisory Committee (RAC), Dr Kevin Lau; the Chairman of the RAC Sub-committee on Employment, Mr Alvin Miu; and the Assistant Director of Social Welfare (Rehabilitation and Medical Social Services), Mr David Ng, officiated at the ceremony. Representatives of various participating organisations also attended. Artists with disabilities presented music and dance performances at the opening ceremony fostering an inclusive community through arts.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mr Sun expected that the artistic talents of PWDs could be showcased through the Arts Festival. He encouraged them to pursue excellence and aim for professional development. Mr Sun said that PWDs possess exceptional capabilities in various fields and expressed the hope that the Arts Festival would draw greater attention across the community to the abilities of PWDs. At the same time, he called on enterprises to provide more employment opportunities for PWDs to develop their potential, thereby achieving an inclusive workplace. Mr Sun also appealed to the community to actively participate in the Diversity and Inclusion Arts Festival and the "Caring Employer" Medal Design Competition under the Diverse Abilities · Inclusive Workplace Recognition Scheme.
Co-organised by LWB and ADAHK, and in collaboration with the Mental Health Association of Hong Kong, various government departments, social welfare organisations and other institutions, the Diversity and Inclusion Arts Festival presents a series of inclusive arts activities, including arts exhibition, inclusive concert, stage play, arts bazaar, inclusive arts workshops, as well as an information booth on diverse abilities and inclusive workplace, from now until April 5. For more details of the event, please visit the website of ADAHK (www.adahk.org.hk/?a=doc&id=5841).
To commend employers who actively engage and support PWDs and foster inclusive workplaces, LWB will launch the Diverse Abilities · Inclusive Workplace Recognition Scheme on the basis of the existing Talent-Wise Employment Charter, and collaborate with the Jockey Club Collaborative Project for Inclusive Employment funded by the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust to jointly take forward the "Caring Employer" medal. The medal will feature different categories, covering large corporations, small and medium enterprises, and social enterprises/public organisations, etc. Details will be announced in April, and applications from enterprises and organisations will be accepted by then. To allow the public to participate in the Diverse Abilities · Inclusive Workplace Recognition Scheme and raise awareness of the diverse abilities of PWDs, LWB has also launched the "Caring Employer" Medal Design Competition today, to invite members of the public, students and PWDs, who are interested in design, to participate. For more details of the Competition, please visit LWB website (www.lwb.gov.hk/en/highlights/charter_scheme/s4.html).
Opening ceremony of Diversity and Inclusion Arts Festival and Diverse Abilities · Inclusive Workplace Recognition Scheme held today Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Opening ceremony of Diversity and Inclusion Arts Festival and Diverse Abilities · Inclusive Workplace Recognition Scheme held today Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Opening ceremony of Diversity and Inclusion Arts Festival and Diverse Abilities · Inclusive Workplace Recognition Scheme held today Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Opening ceremony of Diversity and Inclusion Arts Festival and Diverse Abilities · Inclusive Workplace Recognition Scheme held today Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Opening ceremony of Diversity and Inclusion Arts Festival and Diverse Abilities · Inclusive Workplace Recognition Scheme held today Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Opening ceremony of Diversity and Inclusion Arts Festival and Diverse Abilities · Inclusive Workplace Recognition Scheme held today Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Opening ceremony of Diversity and Inclusion Arts Festival and Diverse Abilities · Inclusive Workplace Recognition Scheme held today Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Opening ceremony of Diversity and Inclusion Arts Festival and Diverse Abilities · Inclusive Workplace Recognition Scheme held today Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Opening ceremony of Diversity and Inclusion Arts Festival and Diverse Abilities · Inclusive Workplace Recognition Scheme held today Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Opening ceremony of Diversity and Inclusion Arts Festival and Diverse Abilities · Inclusive Workplace Recognition Scheme held today Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
