ENG-2000 — Page 230

HEALTH

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licences for commercial bathhouses and offensive trades as well as for private swimming pools. The FEHD also provides support to the Liquor Licensing Board, which is an independent statutory body constituted for the purpose of issuing liquor licences. Board members are appointed by the Chief Executive. The board meets. fortnightly to consider applications.

In 2000, the department received and processed 2 613 applications for food business licenses, 1001 for restricted food permits, 908 for places of public entertainment licences, 52 for other trade licences and 709 for liquor and club licences.

Food Safety

The FEHD's Food and Public Health Branch is tasked to ensure that food available for human consumption is safe and properly labelled. It also aims to safeguard public health through testing and control of live food animals.

Under the food surveillance programme, 59 991 samples were taken in 2000 for chemical, microbiological and/or radiological testing to ensure that consumers were not exposed to contaminants in food that might pose a health risk. During the year, 79 304 and 20 289 vehicles carrying vegetables and poultry, respectively, were inspected at the Man Kam To Food Control Office and 60 681 pig urine samples were taken for testing for beta-agonists, including clenbuterol and salbutamol, which were recorded as being used illegally as an agent to promote lean meat in food animals and, through their residue in animal offal, might cause food poisoning.

Another means of achieving food safety is through the promotion of the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP)-based food safety plan. It involves identification of hazards in different stages of food production, assessment of the related risks and determination of control procedures at each critical step to reduce or eliminate the risks. A Food Hygiene Campaign was conducted in 2000 to promote good hygiene practices as well as the HAACP to the food trade and the public.

Two public forums were organised during the year to enhance public understanding of genetically modified food and to gather views on the matter. Basic knowledge about genetically modified food was also included in the department's Food Safety Bulletins issued to members of the public. In collaboration with the Government Laboratory, the FEHD has been examining issues relating to labelling of genetically modified food and the methodology and technology for testing genetically modified ingredients in food, including testing standards and accuracy.

Markets and Cooked Food Centres

The FEHD operates 81 public markets with 15 866 stalls selling commodities ranging from fresh food to household items. During 2000, one new markets was opened for public use. The department also operates 25 free-standing cooked food centres.

Hawkers

The FEHD maintains control over hawking activities in the HKSAR. In 2000, there were 29 245 convictions in the courts for offences related to hawking.

Slaughterhouses

The FEHD is responsible for the monitoring of three licensed slaughterhouses in Sheung Shui, Tsuen Wan and Cheung Chau to ensure that their operations meet the