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the public, there was some confusion about which body was responsible, what steps will be taken to ensure more efficient handling and response if a similar case arises in future?
MR. L. H. KWAN, CHAIRMAN OF THE FOOD HYGIENE SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows (in English):-The sale of contaminated vegetables was first suspected when investigations on a number of food poisoning cases revealed the consumption of a similar food item by the victims. The investigations on food poisoning cases, which included interviewing patients in hospitals as well as visiting patients' homes, were carried out by health inspectors of Environmental Hygiene Section of, in this case, Urban Services Department. Since follow-up action involved the raiding of hawkers in Sham Shui Po area, the USD was again involved.
As investigation continued, follow-up action in tracing the source of the contaminated vegetables and preventing their sale for protection of public health became necessary. As the Food Section of MSB is responsible for food safety, its staff was actively involved.
Contamination of the vegetables by an agricultural pesticide was then confirmed. Being the authority in control of the use of pesticides for agricultural purposes, staff of the Agriculture and Fisheries Department stepped into the picture.
Last but not least, the contribution by the Government Chemist in the highly efficient and speedy analysis of the samples of vegetables in the identification of the pesticide residue helped greatly in the investigation of this outbreak.
The full investigation of the incident was in fact a joint effort of several bodies and authorities, and it was only through their close co-operation that the incident was quickly and efficiently handled.
DR. RONALD D. B. LEUNG (in English):-Mr. Chairman, we have been informed of the actions taken in the outbreak, but I would be more anxious to know what steps in the future to ensure more efficient operations. For this purpose I would like to ask three follow-up questions. Number one question is: as these supervising authorities are so diversified, which of the three departments is responsible for co-ordinating such efforts? Number two question is: How frequent is there, if any, routine checking of all food imports to ensure safe consumption? The last question is: Is there adequate staff to carry out such actions at the point of importation?
MR. L. H. KWAN (in English):-Mr. Chairman, the first one refers to which is the co-ordinating unit. My short answer is the Food Section of the Municipal Services Branch is the liaison and co-ordinating unit in respect of all the investigation activities. The second question asks about how frequent the checking is. As I was told they have regular checks. I think I would get the answer from the Municipal Services Branch before I can give Dr. Ronald LEUNG a better reply about the frequency of the checks. Concerning the third question on whether the checking is adequate or not and how it will be updated, again, I will have to check with the Municipal Services Branch so that they can supply a further and better answer. I will relay and convey it to Dr. LEUNG.
DR. RONALD D. B. LEUNG (in English):-May I ask one more follow-up on my first follow-up question? Since our Food Section is responsible for co-ordinating these efforts, how frequent are their meetings between these three departments?
MR. L. H. KWAN (in English):-I think it is not our Food Section, it is the Food Section of the Municipal Services Branch and it is up to them to liaise with the other departments in respect of co-ordination and I am being told that at least they have a monthly meeting.
MR. WALTER M. SULKE (in English):-Mr. Chairman, it seems to me from those answers, the Council has lost control. We used to have our own Food Section for which we were fully responsible. Now suddenly it has gone to the Municipal Services Branch. May I suggest that the Food Hygiene Select Committee investigate whether this is a good method or whether we should not take back our own Food Section?
MR. L. H. KWAN (in English):-I would be quite pleased to review this matter in respect of Mr. SULKE's comments on taking it back from the Municipal Services Branch into our own hands since we are the authority to investigate under the present ordinance and to take up prosecution etc. against the offenders. I think this is a high time for us in the next coming Food Hygiene Select Committee meeting to review and discuss this matter. I will be quite pleased if Mr. SULKE would be coming along with us as well so that we can discuss the matter.
MR. TONG KAM-BIU (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman, this incident has now come to an end. But in the process, there are poisons in choi sum and people had taken ill. I think the departments concerned had not taken steps to stop the import of choi sum immediately and that the authorities did not prohibit the sale of choi sum or issue a special notice to the public at large so that they were more careful when eating choi sum. If we had done that, there would not have been over one hundred people being hospitalized. Is this our own responsibility or what should we do in future? Should we not be more alert to such incidents in the future?
MR. L. H. KWAN (in Cantonese):-There are two parts of the question. First of all, as Mr. SULKE has mentioned that all co-ordinating works have been done by the Municipal Services Branch. In the past, it was the responsibility of the Council, but later on, it was transferred to the Municipal Services Branch. I
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Page 112 of 185
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the public, there was some confusion about which body was responsible, what steps will be taken to ensure more efficient handling and response if a similar case arises in future?
MR. L. H. KWAN, CHAIRMAN OF THE FOOD HYGIENE SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows (in English):-The sale of contaminated vegetables was first suspected when investigations on a number of food poisoning cases revealed the consump- tion of a similar food item by the victims. The investigations on food poisoning cases, which included interviewing patients in hospitals as well as visiting patients' homes, were carried out by health inspectors of Environmental Hygiene Section of, in this case, Urban Services Department. Since follow up action involved the raiding of hawkers in Sham Shui Po area, the USD was again involved.
As investigation continued, follow up action in tracing the source of the contaminated vegetables and preventing their sale for protection of public health became necessary. As the Food Section of MSB is responsible for food safety, its staff was actively involved.
Contamination of the vegetables by an agricultural pesticide was then confirmed. Being the authority in control of the use of pesticides for agricultural purposes, staff of the Agriculture and Fisheries Department stepped into the picture.
Last but not least, the contribution by the Government Chemist in the highly efficient and speedy analysis of the samples of vegetables in the identification of the pesticide residue helped greatly in the investigation of this outbreak.
The full investigation of the incident was in fact a joint effort of several bodies and authorities, and it was only through their close co-operation that the incident was quickly and efficiently handled.
DR. RONALD D. B. LEUNG (in English): -Mr. Chairman, we have been informed of the actions taken in the outbreak, but I would be more anxious to know what steps in the future to ensure more efficient operations. For this purpose I would like to ask three follow-up questions. Number one question as these supervising authorities are so diversed, which of the three departments is responsible for co-ordinating such efforts? Number two question is: How frequent is there, if any, routine checking of all food imports to ensure safe consumption? The last question is: Is there adequate staff member to carry out such actions at the point of importation?
MR. L. H. KWAN (in English):-- -Mr. Chairman, the first one refers to which is the co-ordinating unit. My short answer is the Food Section of the Municipal Services Branch is the liaison and co-ordinating unit in respect of all the investigation activities. The second question asks about how frequent the checking is. As I was told they have regular checks. I think I would get the
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answer from the Municipal Services Branch before I can give Dr. Ronald LEUNG a better reply about the frequency of the checks. Concerning the third question on whether the checking is adequate or not and how come that it will be up-dated, again, I will have to check with the Municipal Services Branch so that they can supply a further and better answer. I will relay and convey it to
Dr. LEUNG.
DR. RONALD D. B. LEUNG (in English):-May I ask one more follow-up on my first follow-up question? Since our food section is responsible for co-ordinating these efforts, how frequent are their meetings between these three departments?
MR. L. H. KWAN (in English):—I think, it is not our food section, it is the food section of the Municipal Services Branch and it is up to them to liaise with the other departments in respect of co-ordination and I am being told that at least they have a monthly meeting.
MR. WALTER M. SULKE (in English):—Mr. Chairman, it seems to me from those answers, the Council has lost control. We used to have our own food section for which we were fully responsible. Now suddenly it has gone to the Municipal Services Branch. May I suggest that the Food Hygiene Select Committee investigate whether this is a good method or whether we should not take back our own food section?
MR. L. H. KWAN (in English):---I would be quite pleased to review this matter in respect of Mr. SULKE's comments on taking it back from the Municipal Services Branch into our own hands since that we are the authority to investigate under the present ordinance and to take up prosecution etc. against the offenders. I think this is a high time for us in the next comming Food Hygiene Select Committee meeting to review and discuss this matter. I will be quite pleased if Mr. SULKE would be coming along with us as well so that we can discuss the matter.
MR. TONG KAM-BIU (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, this incident has now come to an end. But in the process there are poisons in choi sum and people had taken ill. I think the departments concerned had not taken steps to stop the import the choi sum immediately and that the authorities did not prohibit the sale of choi sum or issue a special notice to the public at large so that they were more careful when eating choi sum. If we had done that, there would not have been over one hundred people being hospitalized. Is this our own responsibility or what should we do in future? Should we not be more alert to such incidents in the future?
MR. L. H. KWAN (in Cantonese):-There are two parts of the question. First of all, as Mr. SULKE has mentioned that all co-ordinating works have been done by the Municipal Services Branch. In the past it was the responsibility of the Council, but later on it was transferred to the Municipal Services Branch. I
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