HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
81
The third part of the question enquires about the average frequency of inspection to these shops. Licensed Siu Mei and Lo Mei shops and licensed bakeries are subject to regular inspections by Health Inspectors of the Department at frequencies ranging from two weeks to eight weeks under the current Selective Inspection System.
Ms. Grace Au Yuk-har (in Cantonese):—Are the inspections conducted at present in this regard considered to be adequate by the Department? Have we considered the necessity of enforcing the rules stringently to require that food should be placed under cover?
Mr. Joseph Chan Yuek-sut (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, if we look at statistics, the general situation is that violation of bylaws by Siu Mei and Lo Mei shops as well as bakeries is not serious. Inspection once every 2 to 8 weeks should be adequate. For black spots, the Department will step up inspection. As for enforcement, those found to have violated the bylaws will certainly be prosecuted. In addition to prosecution, we also have the demerit points system. So, in other words, there is a double deterrent effect, so-to-speak.
Mr. Albert Lai Wing-lin (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, I have a question of interest. When staff inspect Siu Mei and Lo Mei shops or bakeries and discover food for sale displayed openly without cover, do Inspectors confiscate all items so displayed?
Mr. Joseph Chan Yuek-sut (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, normally the food is not confiscated but the shops are prosecuted. They will be ordered to place the food properly, for example at Siu Mei and Lo Mei Shops, the food will have to be kept in a glass cabinet. Sometimes, such shops take down the glass doors in order to show the food to patrons. If the food is placed on the pavements, it must be immediately returned to the cabinets. For bread, shops must cover them up or place them in cabinets so as to avoid contamination by dust.
Mr. Albert Lai Wing-lin (in Cantonese):—Food placed outside shop premises for some time has been exposed to exhaust emissions from passing vehicles and dust. Are we not contradicting our principles by allowing them to be sold? Can we consider introducing more stringent measures to confiscate all food not placed under cover?
Mr. Joseph Chan Yuek-sut (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, we do not have regulations providing for confiscation of this kind of food. I am not a doctor, but from the medical point of view, the food we eat is often exposed to air filled with suspended particles. In actual fact, we consume bacteria all the time. No matter how stringently we enforce regulations or how well we store food, we just consume a lot of bacteria. Sometimes, the bacteria may be beneficial to
Page 84 of 498
Page 84 of 498
Page 84 of 498
Page 84 of 498
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
81
The third part of the question enquires about the average frequency of inspection to these shops. Licensed Siu Mei and Lo Mei shops and licensed bakeries are subject to regular inspections by Health Inspectors of the Department at frequencies ranging from two weeks to eight weeks under the current Selective Inspection System.
Ms. Grace Au Yuk-har (in Cantonese):—Are the inspections conducted at present in this regard considered to be adequate by the Department? Have we considered the necessity of enforcing the rules stringently to require that food should be placed under cover?
MR. JOSEPH Chan Yuek-sut (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, if we look at statistics, the general situation is that violation of bylaws by Siu Mei and Lo Mei shops as well as bakeries is not serious. Inspection once every 2 to 8 weeks should be adequate. For black spots, the Department will step up inspection. As for enforcement, those found to have violated the bylaws will certainly be prosecuted. In addition to prosecution, we also have the demerit points system. So, in other words, there is a double deterrent effect, so-to-speak.
Mr. Albert Lai Wing-lin (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, I have a question of interest. When staff inspect Siu Mei and Lo Mei shops or bakeries and discover food for sale displayed openly without cover, do Inspectors confiscate all items so displayed?
Mr. Joseph Chan Yuek-sut (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, normally the food is not confiscated but the shops are prosecuted. They will be ordered to place the food properly, for example at Siu Mei and Lo Mei Shops, the food will have to be kept in a glass cabinet. Sometimes, such shops take down the glass doors in order to show the food to patrons. If the food is placed on the pavements, it must be immediately returned to the cabinets. For bread, shops must cover them up or place them in cabinets so as to avoid contamination by dust.
Mr. Albert Lai Wing-lin (in Cantonese);—Food placed outside shop premises for some time has been exposed to exhaust emissions from passing vehicles and dust. Are we not contradicting our principles by allowing them to be sold? Can we consider introducing more stringent measures to confiscate all food not placed under cover?
Mr. Joseph Chan Yuek-sut (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, we do not have regulations providing for confiscation of this kind of food, I am not a doctor, but from the medical point of view, the food we eat is often exposed to air filled with suspended particles. In actual fact, we consume bacteria all the time. No matter how stringently we enforce regulations or how well we store food, we just consume a lot of bacteria. Sometimes, the bacteria may be beneficial to
Page 84 of 498
Page 84 of 498
Page 84 of 498
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