Secretary for Health Meets with Ministry of Health Singapore Delegation to Discuss Advancements in Chinese Medicine Development

2026-07-14 18:24 Last Updated At：07-16 15:00

Secretary for Health meets with Ministry of Health Singapore delegation

The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, met with a delegation led by the Director-General of Health of the Ministry of Health Singapore, Professor Kenneth Mak, today (July 14) for a detailed exchange on the development of Chinese medicine (CM) in the two places.

Professor Lo welcomed the delegation and introduced the strategies of CM development in Hong Kong to them. Professor Lo said, "The National 15th Five-Year Plan Outline calls for advancing the inheritance and innovation of CM and promoting its global expansion. The Chief Executive is leading the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government in formulating a five-year plan with a view to comprehensively and proactively aligning with the National 15th Five-Year Plan. In the field of healthcare, leveraging Hong Kong's advantages under the 'one country, two systems' framework to facilitate CM to go global will constitute a key element.

"The HKSAR Government has long been actively promoting CM development, and initial progress has already been achieved, including the release of the first Chinese Medicine Development Blueprint last year, and the launch of the two flagship projects for CM development, namely The Chinese Medicine Hospital of Hong Kong (CMHHK) and the permanent premises of the Government Chinese Medicines Testing Institute (GCMTI). These measures will further consolidate Hong Kong's role as a bridgehead for the global expansion of CM, and thereby fostering wider recognition and application of CM worldwide."

At the meeting, Hong Kong representatives introduced the policy directions of the Blueprint, the regulatory framework for CM, CM and integrated Chinese-Western medicine (ICWM) services, as well as the mission and functions of CMHHK and the GCMTI. The Singapore delegation shared an overview of the current CM development in Singapore.

The two sides also discussed topics including the CM service model, the clinical practice of ICWM, and the experiences of the two places in implementing CM policies. Professor Lo emphasised, "CM is not only an integral part of Hong Kong's healthcare system, but also plays an increasingly crucial role in different levels of healthcare services around the globe. We look forward to continuing to exchange experiences with international partners to jointly promote CM development, further leveraging its value and role in improving global health."

Representatives of the Health Bureau, the Department of Health, the Hospital Authority and CMHHK also attended the meeting.

CFS Warns Against Consuming Contaminated French Pepper & Feta Spread Due to Listeria Risk

CFS urges public not to consume batch of imported spread product suspected to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (August 18) urged the public not to consume a batch of spread product imported from France due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. The trade should stop using or selling the affected batch of the product immediately if they possess it.

Product details are as follows:

Product name: Ktipiti Extra Red Pepper & Feta Cheese Spread

Brand: L'atelier Blini

Place of origin: France

Net weight: 175 grams

Batch number: 12262661

Use-by date: August 30, 2026

Importer: City Super Limited

"The CFS, through its Food Incident Surveillance System, noted a notification from the Rappel Conso of France that the above-mentioned product is being recalled as it might be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes due to suspected issue with the cold chain. Upon learning of the incident, the CFS immediately contacted local importers to follow up. A preliminary investigation found that the above-mentioned importer had imported into Hong Kong the affected batch of the product concerned," a spokesman for the CFS said.

As a precautionary measure, the importer concerned has stopped sales and removed from shelves the affected batch of the product and has initiated a recall according to the CFS's instructions. Members of the public may call the importer's hotline at 2736 3866 during office hours for enquiries about the recall.

"Listeria monocytogenes can be easily destroyed by cooking but can survive and multiply at refrigerator temperatures. Most healthy individuals do not develop symptoms or only have mild symptoms such as fever, muscle pain, headache, nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea when infected. However, severe complications such as septicaemia, meningitis or even death may occur in newborns, the elderly and those with a weaker immune system. Although infected pregnant women may just experience mild symptoms generally, the infection of Listeria monocytogenes may cause miscarriage, infant death, preterm birth, or severe infection in newborns," the spokesman added.

"In order to reduce the risk of listeriosis, susceptible populations such as pregnant women should consume freshly prepared hot food where possible, reheat chilled food until it is hot all the way through, and avoid high-risk foods, including ready-to-eat food such as cold cuts, cold smoked seafood, soft cheeses, salads, etc, or cook them thoroughly before consumption, even if they are presented as part of a dish."

The spokesman advised members of the public to stop consuming the affected batch of the product and seek medical treatment if they feel unwell after consuming the product concerned.

The CFS has contacted the French authority over the incident and will continue to follow up on the incident and take appropriate action to safeguard food safety and public health. The investigation is ongoing.

Secretary for Health Meets with Ministry of Health Singapore Delegation to Discuss Advancements in Chinese Medicine Development

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