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# HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
(9) MR. HENRY H. L. HU asked the following question:-
Could the Chairman please inform the Council how many food caterers are now operating in Hong Kong and Kowloon? How long has this kind of business been in existence? How many low-paid workers are now dependent on their supply for meals? So far has there been any accident or complaint concerning unhygienic condition of such meals? What were the regulations governing such business? Is there any change of regulations at the Was the matter ever present? If there is, then why? discussed in any Select Committee or in the Committee of Whole Council? Was any consultation held between the Urban Services Department and other Government Departments?
MR. PETER P. K. NG, CHAIRMAN OF THE FOOD AND FOOD PREMISES SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows:-
I thank Mr. Hu for the question as it gives me an opportunity to clear the position on food caterers who have been the subject of much publicity recently.
Food caterers are covered by the Food Business By-laws which define any business which involves the manufacture or preparation of food for sale for human consumption off the premises as a "food factory". Business preparing meals for delivery to office or factory workers are, therefore, clearly, "food factories". They are, possibly, the type of factory which requires the highest standard of hygiene and the closest attention as the method of preparation and delivery could expose food more to contamination than most other food preparations. The business of preparing meals for delivery to workers has existed since the last war, and there has definitely been a proliferation of such caterers which is no doubt due to the increase in number of workers requiring cheap meals, and the lack of canteen or other facilities provided by employers.
There are, at present, 22 licensed food factories engaged solely in catering on Hong Kong Island and 23 in Kowloon. In addition, there are a known 138 (27 on the Island and 111 in Kowloon) unlicensed caterers operating. The department is at present conducting a survey of all unlicensed food premises (including caterers) in Hong Kong, and it is possible that more unlicensed caterers will be discovered.
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I regret that it is impossible to say how many low-paid workers depend on their meals from this source of supply. I am also not able to say how many cases of food poisoning can be attributed to food caterers as many cases are not reported and those reported are not always traceable. However, it is a satisfying thought that the number of food poisoning cases in Hong Kong is comparatively small, and whilst we do not receive many complaints about the unhygienic condition of the food from such caterers, many complaints are received from members of the public who live in close proximity to them, and in certain cases complaints have drawn the department's attention to the illegal caterer. Although the survey now being conducted by the department is not complete, it already shows that many of the unlicensed caterers are housed in premises which are totally unsuitable for the business, or are in domestic accommodation on higher floors of buildings. The receipt of raw food-stuffs, the cooking of food and the delivery of meals causes a considerable nuisance to persons living in domestic buildings.
I have referred above to the regulations governing food caterers, and confirm that there have been no changes to these regulations, although the Food and Food Premises Select Committee has recently simplified requirements and conditions for food factories. Recent publicity given to food caterers is no doubt due to higher fines now being imposed quite rightly on such concerns by the courts.
The question of food businesses, and this includes food caterers, is under constant consideration by the Food and Food Premises Select Committee. I can assure members that caterers will be given very serious and special consideration when the results of the survey referred to earlier are made available to the Select Committee. It is already apparent that many of the unlicensed food caterers operate from premises which are no more than domestic kitchens and cater for small numbers. Whether the Select Committee can agree to drawing up special requirements for these very small caterers will depend on the survey and the advice of our health staff and other departments concerned.
MR. HU: Mr. Chairman, am I right to understand that so far the Food and Food Premises Select Committee has not discussed this problem specifically before?
MR. NG:-No, Sir.
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