Smart Traffic Fund approves five projects
The Transport Department (TD) today (October 3) announced that the 21st batch of the Smart Traffic Fund, this one involving five projects, has been approved by the Management Committee, with a total grant of around $33.3 million.
The five approved projects in the latest batch cover: (1) an artificial intelligence (AI) vehicle type detection system riding on a fusion of satellite and multisource geospatial data; (2) an intoxication detection method analysing linguistic behaviour of motorists for fleet driving safety management; (3) a vehicle detection and alert system installed at roadsides to enhance driving safety at bending sections of roads; (4) adoption of a fiber-reinforced polymer composite material for roadside crash barriers; and (5) real-time traffic management for mega events using AI of Things technology. Details of the projects are available on the Fund's website (www.stf.hkpc.org).
The Fund accepts applications throughout the year to provide funding support to local organisations and enterprises for conducting research and applying innovation and technology, with the objectives of enhancing commuting convenience, enhancing the efficiency of the road network or road space, and improving driving safety. All applications are considered and assessed in batches by the Management Committee, which is chaired by the Deputy Commissioner for Transport/Planning and Technical Services, and comprises representatives from the Government, experts in the industry and relevant stakeholders.
The TD appeals to interested organisations and enterprises for participation to help make the Fund a success and to build Hong Kong into a more liveable and sustainable city by driving Hong Kong toward a new era of transportation.
Application details are available on the Fund's website. For enquiries, please contact the Hong Kong Productivity Council, the Secretariat of the Fund, on 2788 5536 orstf_sec@hkpc.org.
Beef and beef congee samples found to contain sulphur dioxide
The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (June 6) that two beef samples collected from a licensed food factory in North District were found to contain sulphur dioxide, contravening the provisions on preservative of the Preservatives in Food Regulation (Cap. 132BD) (the Regulation). The CFS is following up on the incident. The food factory concerned has suspended its business.
A spokesman for the CFS said, "Subsequent to the earlier announcement that a beef congee sample taken from a licensed general restaurant in Wah Kwai Estate, Aberdeen, was found to contain sulphur dioxide, a follow-up investigation by the CFS revealed that the beef concerned was suspected to be supplied by the licensed food factory mentioned above. The CFS has immediately taken follow-up action and collected beef samples from the relevant food factory for testing. The test results showed that the two beef samples contained sulphur dioxide at a level of 7 700 parts per million (ppm) and 8 300 ppm respectively."
"As instructed by the CFS, the concerned licensed general restaurant in Wah Kwai Estate, Aberdeen has earlier stopped the sale of the relevant beef congee. The CFS had collected another beef congee sample for follow-up investigation before the restaurant concerned stopped selling the relevant product, and the test result showed that the beef congee sample contained sulphur dioxide at a level of 540 ppm," the spokesman added.
The CFS has informed the food factory concerned of the irregularities and instructed it to stop the sale of the products concerned and discard relevant raw materials. During an inspection to the food factory concerned, stains were detected in several areas of the premises, and a gap at the door was found. Prosecution was then initiated to the relevant person; and a Notice of Elimination of Vermin was issued under the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance (Cap. 132) Section 47(1), requiring the person-in-charge of the premises to adopt necessary procedures to remove any items causing rodent infestation within specified time frame, failing which prosecution will be instituted.
According to the Regulation, contravening relevant provisions on preservatives is liable to a maximum fine of $50,000 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 CFS will continue to follow up on the incidents and take appropriate action. Prosecution will be instituted for the violation of the Regulation. The investigation is ongoing.
Source: AI-found images
