ENG-2001 — Page 241

HEALTH

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 2001, the department received and processed 2 302 applications for food business licences, 1 589 for restricted food permits, 925 for places of public entertainment licences, 51 for other trade licences and 658 for liquor and club liquor licences.

Food Safety and Labelling

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, 57 906 samples were taken in 2001 for chemical, microbiological and/or radiological testing to ensure that consumers were not exposed to contaminations in food that night pose a health risk.

During the year, 75 353 and 15 923 vehicles carrying vegetables and poultry were inspected at the Man Kam To Food Control Office and 85 318 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 2001 to introduce the concept of risk and risk management in food preparation and production; and to promote the application of food safety plans.

The department has taken steps to provide relevant information on genetically modified (GM) food to the public including distributing pamphlets and organising public forums. In 2001, the Government completed a public consultation on the labelling of GM food and is formulating the way forward, taking into account the views received. In collaboration with the Government Laboratory, the FEHD has also been examining the methodology and technology for testing GM ingredients in food, including testing standards and protocols to strengthen the department's capabilities in food surveillance.

Markets and Cooked Food Markets

The FEHD operates 105 public markets with 12 900 stalls selling commodities. ranging from fresh food to household items. During the year, one new market was opened for public use. The department also operates 24 free-standing cooked food markets.

Hawkers

The FEHD maintains control over hawking activities in the HKSAR. In 2001, there were 21 041 convictions in the courts for offences related to hawking.

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