Dutiable Commodities (Amendment) Bill 2026 to be gazetted tomorrow
The Dutiable Commodities (Amendment) Bill 2026 will be published in the Gazette tomorrow (May 29) to amend the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (Cap. 109) to introduce specific offences and a presumption of fact provision to enhance enforcement against the mishandling of duty-exempt methyl alcohol (MA, also known as methanol).
To promote Hong Kong's development into a green maritime fuel bunkering centre, the Government adopts a two-stage approach to provide duty exemption for MA used as fuel in outbound vessels. The first stage was completed with the passage of the Dutiable Commodities (Amendment) Regulation 2025 by the Legislative Council in October 2025, bringing the duty exemption into operation on October 17, 2025. The second stage involves amending the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance to enhance the enforcement efficacy of duty-exempt MA.
The Bill aims to introduce into the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance specific offences against the mishandling of duty-exempt, non-denatured MA, including using, selling, supplying or permitting the use, sale or supply of such MA other than for the specified exempted purpose. It also makes it an offence to not deliver duty-exempt non-denatured MA together with a note with a specified statement to remind recipients of the sole purpose of such MA. In addition, to enhance the effectiveness of enforcing the control of duty-exempt non-denatured MA, the Bill provides for a presumption of fact, specifying the facts establishment of which would lead to the presumption that certain non-denatured MA is dutiable, unless contrary evidence is available.
A spokesperson for the Transport and Logistics Bureau said, "To support Hong Kong's development into a green maritime fuel bunkering centre, the Government introduced legislative amendments last year to exempt MA for use as fuel in outbound vessels from duty, facilitating the development of MA bunkering in Hong Kong.The first two MA bunkering operations took place at anchorage and the Kwai Tsing Container Terminals respectively on March 5 and March 10, 2026.
"In anticipation of the increase in volume of MA being bunkered in Hong Kong as its popularity as a green maritime fuel grows, we see the need for introducing the Bill to enhance the efficacy of enforcement against the mishandling of MA, upholding the integrity of the regime for controlling dutiable commodities, thereby fostering our development as a green maritime fuel bunkering centre."
The Bill will be introduced into the Legislative Council on June 10.
Photo source: reference image
CFS finds trace amount of Enterococci in samples of individual batches of bottled mineral water
The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (May 28) that two samples of bottled mineral water were found to contain trace amount of Enterococci. The CFS is following up on the incident.
A spokesman for the CFS said, "Under its routine Food Surveillance Programme, the CFS collected bottled mineral water samples at retail level for microbiological testing, including tests for Escherichia coli, Coliform bacteria, Enterococci, Spore-forming sulphite-reducing anaerobes and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The test results showed that two samples of the individual batches of bottled mineral water below contained Enterococci at a level of one Colony Forming Unit in 250 millilitres, while all other tested parameters (Escherichia coli, coliform bacteria, Spore-forming sulphite-reducing anaerobes and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) were satisfactory (i.e. not detected).
According to the Microbiological Guidelines for Food, Enterococci shall not be tested presence in bottled natural mineral water. As a precautionary measure, the CFS has informed the retailers/distributors concerned to stop sales and remove from shelves the affected batches of the products below. The distributors concerned have also initiated voluntary recalls of the affected batches of the products concerned. Members of the public may call the respective hotlines below during office hours for enquiries about the recalls.
Product details are as follows:
Product name: Still Scottish Mountain Water
Brand: Marks & Spencer
Volume: 750ml
Best-before date: December 2026
Distributor: ALF Retail Hong Kong Limited
Hotline: 3656 2253
Product name: LOTTE ICIS Natural Mineral Water 8.0
Brand: Lotte
Volume: 2 litres
Best-before date: September 22, 2027
Distributor: Goldtop Century Ltd
Hotline: 2632 7373
Since January 2026, the CFS has collected 50 samples of bottled drinking water for testing. Apart from the two unsatisfactory samples mentioned above, all other samples passed the tests.
"Enterococci are a group of bacteria commonly found in the gastrointestinal tracts of humans and animals, generally posing a low risk to healthy individuals. However, certain strains may cause infections in immunocompromised individuals. Members of the public should stop consuming the affected batches of the natural mineral water. Anyone who feels unwell after consuming the products, such as experiencing symptoms like nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea or fever etc, should seek medical treatment," a spokesman for the CFS said.
The CFS had alert the trade, and will continue to follow up on the incident and take appropriate action. An investigation is ongoing.
Source: AI-found images
