ENG-1996 — Page 230

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HEALTH

Other publicity campaigns on mosquito and rodent prevention, prevention of nuisance from dripping air-conditioners and practising good personal hygiene habits were also staged during the year. Health messages are disseminated through printed materials, mobile broadcasting, telephone hot-lines and the mass media. Health education materials are also available from the unit's resource centre.

The Urban Council also organises health education programmes to cater for the specific needs of the urban area. The Restaurant Hygiene Competition, and Healthy Menu and Healthy Cooking Competition were staged for the restaurant trade. An Ambassador of Hygiene Scheme and a Teaching Kit on Health Education were aimed at children. A Health Education Fair and Talks on Public Health were also organised for members of the public. A permanent Health Education Exhibition and Resources Centre providing interactive exhibits and information on various health-related disciplines is planned for commissioning in early 1997.

Food Hygiene

The Health Department's Hygiene Division monitors the safety of imported and locally-produced foods. The aim is to ensure that consumers are able to buy good, wholesome food which is unadulterated, uncontaminated and properly labelled. Food samples are taken regularly for chemical analyses, bacteriological examinations and toxicity tests to ascertain their fitness for human consumption.

Food items are sorted for laboratory sampling according to the nature of the food and the risks that they may pose to consumers. The Food and Drugs (Composition and Labelling) Regulations were amended in February 1996 to strengthen consumer protection and ensure that local regulations were consistent with international developments.

Hong Kong maintains close ties with the World Health Organisation, the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations and other international food authorities. As the bulk of the local food supply comes from China, the Division works closely with the Chinese authorities. Regular meetings are held with officials from the Guangdong and Shenzhen Commodities Inspection Bureaux to promote food safety and better food hygiene.

In 1996, there were more than 300 reported cases of food poisoning, involving 1 800 persons. To combat food poisoning due to contaminated vegetables, a food control office was opened at the Man Kam To Checkpoint in February. Funded jointly the two municipal councils, the $35 million office houses a vehicle holding area, vegetable inspection bays, a fully-equipped laboratory to conduct confirmatory tests for pesticide-contaminated vegetables and a workplace for detection of radioactive- contaminated food.

Food Premises

The USD and RSD grade licensed food premises according to their hygiene standards. This determines the frequency of inspections. To deter breaches of health regulations, both departments maintain a demerit points system, under which food licenses or permits can be suspended or cancelled. The system is regularly reviewed to ensure its effectiveness. Strict control is exercised over food premises which fail to apply for a licence, or which have not complied with the specified requirements.