ENG-1992 — Page 186

HEALTH

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Environmental Health Education

An important role of the Health Education Unit of the Hygiene Division of the Department of Health is to promote environmental health and food hygiene through education on a territory-wide basis. Under the auspices of the two Municipal Councils, the unit launched a number of educational campaigns in 1992. Of these campaigns, the most notable were the Environmental and Health Drive held early in the year and the 1992 Food Hygiene Campaign with the theme Food Safety Is Our Talking Point organised during the hot summer months for members of the food trade and school teachers. The former aimed at arousing public attention to the importance of keeping a clean home environment while the latter promoted the adoption of good hygiene practices during food preparation in order to prevent food-borne diseases.

In addition, publicity campaigns directed at the prevention of rodent infestation and nuisances caused by mosquitoes and dripping air-conditioners were staged during the year. Apart from talks, broadcasting and hotline services provided by the unit, health messages were disseminated through the mass media. Public health materials including posters and leaflets were also distributed to the general public at the unit's resource centre.

Food Hygiene

The Hygiene Division of the Department of Health consists of three sections, the Food section, Pest Control Advisory Section and Health Education Unit.

The health inspectorate, backed by a hygiene consultant, controls food for sale, both imported and locally produced. Supported by laboratory resources and assisted by a scientific advisory arm, the inspectorate ensures that consumers are able to buy good whole- some food, unadulterated, uncontaminated, properly described and of nutritious quality.

Food samples are taken regularly for chemical analyses, bacteriological examinations and toxicity tests to ascertain their fitness for human consumption. For the purpose of sampling for laboratory testing, food items are prioritised according to the nature of the food and the risks that they may pose to consumers. Complementary to regular laboratory analyses, field tests for pesticide residues are performed on imported vegetables at the points of entry into Hong Kong including Lo Wu, Man Kam To and the airport. Owing to the fast development of transportation across the border, another border checkpoint at Lok Ma Chau was built and became operative in 1992.

The growing number of food establishments and the quantities and variety of food items available on the local market have increased the importance of law enforcement. Parallel to this is the increasing demand for services for health certification of foods for export and re-export.

The review of food legislation has been an on-going exercise with a view to ensuring that laws made are consistent with international standards, guidelines and recommendations based on scientific evidence. This is important in order to provide a high standard of public health protection and at the same time to facilitate international trade in foods.

On the international scene, Hong Kong maintains close ties with the World Health Organisation and the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations and other international authoritative bodies on foods. As the bulk of local food supply comes from China, Hong Kong has been working closely with Chinese authorities towards promoting food safety and better food hygiene. Regular meetings are held with officials from Guangdong and Shenzhen Commodities Inspection Bureaux.