HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
253
Although staff of many shops wore aprons or had hand towels at hand, the hygienic situation was not good. During the period of observation, some workers were found to have behaved abominably by coughing, sneezing, scratching their heads, spitting, and smoking at work. 70% of workers at Siu Mei Shops we observed used their hands to touch other objects in addition to the food they handled. For example, they handled cash changes as well, and 40% did not wash or wipe their hands afterwards.
192 shops are licensed with the Urban Council to be Siu Mei Shops. According to the information provided by the Urban Services Department, in the 12 months of 1995, there were 284 cases of shops prosecuted for not displaying Siu Mei in their display windows. Fines were generally from $1,000 to $2,000. In '95, there were only 13 cases of prosecution against staff in violation of hygienic practices such as smoking when preparing food. The above figures did not reflect truly the non-compliance with environmental hygiene conditions by Siu Mei shops.
In fact, food poisoning incidents can be prevented. We feel that actions can be taken for prevention and as a deterrent. The Urban Council's Food Business Bylaw No. 11 prohibits shops from displaying Siu Mei in the streets and requires display in closed compartments; whereas Bylaw No. 22 requires all food processing employees to, within reasonable and practicable conditions, keep clean parts of their bodies that could get in contact with food. Although there are laws to control the situation, many Siu Mei Shops choose to ignore them. From the prosecution statistics recorded by the Urban Services Department, it seems that the Department has not enforced the law rigorously. Many employees of Siu Mei Shops are not storing Siu Mei properly. Under our present legislation, the maximum penalty is a fine of $10,000 and three months' imprisonment. I have mentioned just now that, in general, the fine was only about $2,000, which is hardly a deterrent as far as the food premises are concerned.
Therefore, the Democratic Party suggests the conduct of a review aimed at increasing the maximum penalty. On the other hand, the suggested Code of Practice issued by the Urban Council in respect of personal hygiene for employees of the Siu Mei trade only says they should wash their hands with soap and water before preparing food and after going to the toilet.
Our survey shows that most Siu Mei Shop employees act as cashiers in addition to chopping up roast pork or Siu Mei. Such practice may contaminate food. Members of the Democratic Party feel that separate employees should be assigned to take up meat chopping and cashier duties. If this can be included in the Code of Practice, Siu Mei Shop employees will be alerted, and there will be less chance for Siu Mei to be contaminated.
On the other hand, we feel that, in comparing the low prosecution statistics furnished by the Urban Services Department and those obtained through our survey, it is reflected that the Department has not stringently enforced bylaws.
Page 258 of 498
Page 258 of 498