XN000022-1984-05-30 — Page 22

WEDNESDAY, MAY 30, 1984

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SAFE FOOD WRAPPING REQUIRED BY LAW

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LEGAL ACTION CAN BE TAKEN AGAINST ANYONE IN FOOD BUSINESS WHO FAILS TO TAKE REASONABLE STEPS TO PROTECT THE FOOD FROM THE RISK OF CONTAMINATION, INCLUDING CONTAMINATION FROM THE MATERIALS USED FOR WRAPPING OPEN FOOD.

THIS WAS STATED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY BY THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON HENRY CHING, IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON ANDREW SO.

THIS LEGAL ACTION IS PROVIDED UNDER THE FOOD BUSINESS (NEW TERRITORIES) REGULATIONS AND THE FOOD BUSINESS BY-LAWS, MR CHING EXPLAINED.

COLOURED PLASTIC BAGS WERE SOMETIMES USED FOR WRAPPING SUCH FOOD AND SOME OF THEM HAD BEEN FOUND TO CONTAIN LEACHABLE METALS, HE SAID.

+THERE IS NO EVIDENCE THAT SUCH BAGS HAVE BEEN THE CAUSE OF ANY POISONING THROUGH THE CONSUMPTION OF ANY FOOD CONTAMINATED BY THEM.

+NONETHELESS, THE GOVERNMENT REPEATEDLY ADVISES THOSE ENGAGED IN THE FOOD TRADE OF THE POTENTIAL HEALTH RISK, REMINDS THEM OF THE PROVISIONS IN THE LAW UNDER WHICH THEY COULD BE PROSECUTED IF THEY WERE FOUND TO BE USING WRAPPING MATERIALS HAZARDOUS TO HEALTH, AND URGES THEM TO USE SAFER WRAPPING MATERIALS,+ HỆ SAID.

WHILE CONSIDER ING EXISTING LEGISLATION ADEQUATE, MR CHING ADDED, THE GOVERNMENT CONTINUES, HOWEVER, TO SAMPLE AND ANALYSE WRAPPING MATERIALS AND THEIR EFFECT ON THE FOOD WRAPPED IN THEM.

+ IF THE LEACHABLE METALLIC CONTENTS OF WRAPPING MATERIALS INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY, WE WOULD NEED TO THINK AGAIN. +

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