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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
MISS MARIA W. C. TAM, CHAIRMAN OF THE FOOD HYGIENE SELECT COMMITTEE replied (in English):--This question concerns controls over the level of aflatoxins and erucic acid in food and edible oil.
The subject was discussed by the Food Hygiene Select Committee in December 1980 when the Committee agreed that legislative control should be introduced to limit the maximum levels of aflatoxins and erucic acid in food and edible oils. The maximum level proposed for aflatoxins in peanuts and peanut products was 20 parts per billion of aflatoxins by weight; and foods other than peanuts and their products 15 parts per billion of aflatoxins by weight. For erucic acid, the maximum level for oils or fats was five per centum of their fatty acid content; and for foods, to which oils or fats have been added, five per centum of the fatty acid content of all the oils and fats in the food.
In February 1981, following the discussion by the Committee, the Urban Services Department sought drafting approval from the Government Secretariat for a new regulation under Section 55 of the Public Health and Urban Services Ordinance.
The proposed limits for these potentially harmful substances are in line with the recommendations of the Food & Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, and with those of the World Health Organization. Overseas countries, especially those in the European Economic Community (EEC), including the United Kingdom, have already introduced legislative control in the erucic acid content of food with effect from 1st July 1979.
In November 1979, the Department drew the attention of the trade to the harmful effects of these substances in edible oils and there was a continuing dialogue on this matter with individual traders and trade associations. In September 1980, the Department formally advised the trade that it intended to seek legislative control measures. After the proposal was accepted by the Food Hygiene Select Committee, a meeting was held in February 1981 with representatives of the Hong Kong Oil Merchants Association who agreed to undertake certain preparatory work in anticipation of the forthcoming legislation.
Legislation controlling these substances is found in many countries including:
Australia
Canada
India
Israel
Japan
Malaysia
Member countries of the EEC
New Zealand
People's Republic of China
Poland Singapore South Africa Sweden and
the United States of America
MR. YOUNG (in English):--Mr. Chairman, is the Council satisfied that traders and industrialists will have been given ample warning before legislation controlling these substances comes into effect, in order to dispose of any old stock they may have?
MISS TAM (in English):--Mr. Chairman, in respect of the warnings given to the traders, basically, the proposed new legislation which is now being in the offing and going through the stage of drafting will not take effect for another six months. As far as correspondence is concerned between the traders and merchants and the Chinese Manufacturers Association, I understand that it started early last year and definitely by September, 1980, there were circulars and replies being given by the Urban Services Department to all the representatives of the oil trading people that drafting of legislation is now on the pipeline. As to whether they will find six months sufficient, it is a matter which is under discussion and meetings are being held, the last one being in February, 1981 and this is likely to continue.
3. MISS CECILIA L. Y. YEUNG asked the following question (in Cantonese): I have recently observed that there are ample spaces beneath the spectators' stands in Mong Kok Stadium. I would like to know whether the Council has any plans in hand to utilize them for other purposes?
MR. KENNETH T. C. LO, CHAIRMAN OF THE RECREATION SELECT COMMITTEE replied (in English):--This question refers to the utilization of space beneath the spectator stands in the Mong Kok Stadium.
At present, about half the space under the spectators' stands in the Mong Kok Stadium is used to provide the following facilities:---
a staff office
a hirer's office
two changing rooms for soccer players
two store-rooms
a garage for lawn mowers and tractors
four toilets
and
a switch room.
In October 1980, the Manager of the Stadium proposed converting two more sections of the space under the stands to provide a changing room for referees and a first aid room. Action is in hand to implement this proposal.
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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Page 21 of 14
146
E
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
MISS MARIA W. C. TAM, CHAIRMAN OF THE FOOD HYGIENE SELECT COMMITTEE replied (in English):--This question concerns controls over the level of aflatoxins and erucic acid in food and edible oil.
The subject was discussed by the Food Hygiene Select Committee in December 1980 when the Committee agreed that legislative control should be introduced to limit the maximum levels of aflatoxins and erucic acid in food and edible oils. The maximum level proposed for aflatoxins in peanuts and peanut products was 20 parts per billion of aflatoxins by weight; and foods other than peanuts and their products 15 parts per billion of aflatoxins by weight. For erucic acid, the maximum level for oils or fats was five per centum of their fatty acid content; and for foods, to which oils or fats have been added, five per centum of the fatty acid content of all the oils and fats in the food.
In February 1981, following the discussion by the Committee, the Urban Services Department sought drafting approval from the Government Secre- tariat for a new regulation under Section 55 of the Public Health and Urban Services Ordinance.
The proposed limits for these potentially harmful substances are in line with the recommendations of the Food & Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, and with those of the World Health Organization. Overseas countries, especially those in the European Economic Community (EEC), including the United Kingdom, have already introduced legislative control in the erucic acid content of food with effect from 1st July 1979.
In November 1979, the Department drew the attention of the trade to the harmful effects of these substances in edible oils and there was a continuing dialogue on this matter with individual traders and trade associations. In September 1980, the Department formally advised the trade that it intended to seek legislative control measures. After the proposal was accepted by the Food Hygiene Select Committee, a meeting was held in February 1981 with representatives of the Hong Kong Oil Merchants Association who agreed to undertake certain preparatory work in anticipation of the forth-coming legislation.
Legislation controlling these substances is found in many countries including:
Australia
Canada
India
Israel
Japan
Malaysia
Member countries of the EEC
New Zealand
People's Republic of China
Poland Singapore South Africa Sweden and
the United States of America
MR. YOUNG (in English):-Mr. Chairman, is the Council satisfied that traders and industrialists will have been given ample warning before legisla- tion controlling these substances comes into effect, in order to dispose of any old stock they may have?
MISS TAM (in English):-Mr. Chairman, in respect of the warnings given to the traders, basically, the proposed new legislation which is now being in the offing and going through the stage of drafting will not take effect for another six months. As far as correspondence is concerned between the traders and merchants and the Chinese Manufacturers Association, I under- stand that it started early last year and definitely by September, 1980, there were circulars and replies being given by the Urban Services Department to all the representatives of the oil trading people that drafting of legislation is now on the pipeline. As to whether they will find six months sufficient, it is a matter which is under discussion and meetings are being held, the last one being in February, 1981 and this is likely to continue.
3. MISS CECILIA L. Y. YEUNG asked the following question (in Cantonese): I have recently observed that there are ample spaces beneath the spectators' stands in Mong Kok Stadium. I would like to know whether the Council has any plans in hand to utilize them for other purposes?
MR. KENNETH T. C. Lo, CHAIRMAN OF THE RECREATION SELECT COMMITTEE replied (in English):-This question refers to the utilization of space beneath the spectator stands in the Mong Kok Stadium.
At present, about half the space under the spectators' stands in the Mong Kok Stadium is used to provide the following facilities:---
a staff office
a hirer's office
two changing rooms for soccer players
two store-rooms
a garage for lawn mowers and tractors four toilets
and
a switch room.
In October 1980, the Manager of the Stadium proposed converting two more sections of the space under the stands to provide a changing room for referees and a first aid room. Action is in hand to implement this proposal.
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