1986

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Hong Kong is my home town, and I intend to work and stay here for a long time to come, so like many other members of the public, I will be following with interest the efforts of the Urban Council in making this place a better place in which to live. I wish you all success.

Thank you.

(The Chairman then presented a farewell scroll to Mr. Howard YOUNG.) (applause) (Dr. Ronald LEUNG, Mrs. Margaret Li and Mr. Frederick K. K. FUNG arrived at 2.40 p.m.)

PAPER

The following paper was laid on the table:-

(1) Report to the Urban Council by the Director of Urban Services and Secretary, Urban Council, for the month of June 1986.

QUESTIONS

1.

MRS. CHOW CHEUNG WAI-PING asked the following question (in English):- Is there any hygienic control over cooked food (e.g. roast pig, bread etc.) in the course of delivery? If the answer is positive how is it exercised?

MISS CECILIA L. Y. YEUNG, CHAIRMAN OF THE FOOD HYGIENE SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows (in Cantonese):-This question asks whether there is any control over the unhygienic delivery of cooked food (e.g. roast pigs, bread etc.) in the course of delivery and if yes how the control is exercised.

The short answer to the first part of the question is 'yes'.

Transportation of food (including roast pigs, bread etc.) in the open air without adequate protection against the risk of contamination is an offence, where the food is being transported in the course of a good business, i.e. where the food is for subsequent sale or processing. Offenders are liable to prosecution under the Food Business (UC) By-laws, Cap. 132 and upon conviction to a fine of $2,000 and imprisonment for 3 months.

As to the second part of the question, this Department is well aware of this problem and has been taking all possible means to curb this mal-practice. Apart from routine inspections, district health staff are deployed around markets and to such establishments as bakeries and meat roasting factories where food delivery vans normally converge.

In order to guarantee food hygiene, we have strict regulations and where there are breaches of the regulations, prosecution action will be taken.

In July 1985, the Department issued letters to all licensees of the meat trades concerned warning them to ensure that all open food being transported must be properly wrapped up or otherwise put into suitable containers. This was followed up by blitz operations in August 1985 and 70 offenders were prosecuted in that month. This year's blitz operations were carried out in May and 121 offenders were summonsed. During the past 12 months from June 1985 to May 1986 (including the blitz operations) 270 prosecutions for unhygienic delivery of open food were taken out and 916 warnings were issued. Continued action against this mal-practice will be taken by staff of this Department, and further blitzes will be undertaken whenever necessary.

MRS. CHOW (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman, may I ask what exactly is meant by blitz operation? Very often we see lorries on the streets with many roasted pigs and they travelled about on the street. Is that the responsibility of the Police or the Health Inspectors to stop these lorries and then carry out inspections?

MISS YEUNG (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman, as far as prosecution is concerned, it may be difficult during transportation to stop the lorries carrying these goods. However, where they often converge we keep an eye on the situation and the U.S.D. staff are responsible for taking action. As regards blitz operation, it means that apart from the routine inspections, we may have sudden inspections. Upon receipt of a complaint, we will pay particular attention to individual spots and stop lorries where necessary. If that is not possible immediately, then at least warning letters can be issued. If we do not know which shop the lorry belongs to, it will be rather difficult to take action.

MR. SZULKE (in English):-Mr. Chairman, I think a blitz once a year is completely insufficient. Can we please arrange blitzes at least once a month?

MISS YEUNG (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman, in connection with MR. SZULKE's question, blitz operation once a month has recently been carried out in some areas in addition to the routine inspection. Anyway, his point will be considered at the next meeting to see if that is possible.

MR. TONG (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, concerning the means of transporting roasted pigs, do we have any stipulations about the lorry itself, i.e. any code of practice? Very often roasted pigs are transported by bicycles and is that a breach of regulations? Sometimes we even see people carrying them on their shoulders and is that an offence? There are certain roasted meat shops that hang their roasted meat outside and is that regarded as a breach of law?

MISS YEUNG (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, in connection with the transportation of such goods, if they are open and not covered, it is considered as a breach of the regulations. If they hang them outside their shops, it is very easy for these things to be stolen. Should we get the information as to which shop is ...

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