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About two-thirds of food poisoning cases were due to bacterial contamination. Members of the public are reminded to observe strict personal, environmental and food hygiene when preparing foods, and not to patronise illegal hawkers and unlicensed food premises.
The department also reminded the public of the effective measures to minimise the risk of being affected by vegetables with excessive pesticide residues. Thorough washing, dipping and blanching of vegetables are effective ways to remove the contaminants. Information is also available from the 24-hour hotline at 2367 5135.
End/Tuesday, May 23, 1995
Wholesale, retail, trades and hotels survey starts
The Census and Statistics Department today (Tuesday) announced that the Survey of Wholesale, Retail and Import and Export Trades, Restaurants and Hotels for 1994 has started. The annual survey is part of a continuous programme to compile statistics on the structure and performance of various economic activities in Hong Kong.
The survey aims to obtain up-to-date statistical data for evaluating the contribution of the various economic activities to Hong Kong's gross domestic product and for ascertaining their cost structure, operating characteristics and sales levels. The survey results are useful to both the government and the private sector in formulating policies and making decisions.
The Commissioner for Census and Statistics, Mr Frederick Ho, appealed to the managements of all sampled establishments to fulfil their legal and social responsibilities by returning promptly the completed questionnaires and co-operating with officers of the department in the course of the survey. He stressed that information relating to individual establishments would be treated in strict confidence under the Census and Statistics Ordinance. Only aggregate information that does not reveal details of individual establishments will be released.
Mr Ho also pointed out that audited accounts are not essential for the supply of income and expenditure data required in the survey. The Census and Statistics Department accepts figures based on preliminary accounts or estimates which are correct to the best of the respondents' knowledge at the time of submission of the questionnaire, if audited accounts are not yet available.