Press Releases
Expert Group's report on Melamine Incident submitted to CS
The Secretary for Food and Health, Dr York Chow, this morning (October 20)
submitted the report by the Expert Group on Melamine Incident to the Chief
Secretary for Administration on recommendations to tighten control of tainted
material in milk products.
Dr Chow, who is also the chairman of the expert group, said the report carried
both recognition and recommendations regarding the Government's efforts in
handling the melamine incident.
"I would like to take this opportunity to thank all members for their expert
advice and recommendations. Under the leadership of the expert group, all policy
bureaus and departments have been working together and carrying out all the jobs
effectively," Dr Chow said.
On health services, the expert group was of the view that the Hospital
Authority's 18 Designated Clinics (DCs) and nine Special Assessment Centres (SACs)
had been able to meet the demand for screening of Hong Kong children at or under
12 years of age.
It endorsed that the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) hotline should continue
to operate during offices hours on weekdays and Saturday mornings but in view of
the reduced demand, it could stand down its service on Saturday afternoons and
Sundays.
It also suggested to continue the notification arrangement to CHP and daily
public announcement of case report.
The expert group agreed that the services of DCs and SACs under the Hospital
Authority could continue, while the demand should be closely monitored and
operating hours adjusted if the demand warrants increased services. The daily
report and public announcement of attendances would also continue.
On medical treatment, the expert group had deliberated on the case definition,
reporting criteria, clinical management and scope of further studies/research on
melamine tainted milk product disorders. The Food and Health Bureau would
maintain close liaison with the Mainland's Ministry of Health (MoH) on
developments and exchange views and experience.
The expert group endorsed the adoption of a set of more specific case
definitions in three categories - "suspected case, probable case and confirmed
case". CHP would communicate with MoH and the World Health Organisation (WHO) to
relay Hong Kong's set of case definitions and disseminate the same to local
health professionals.
The experts also recommended to continue using the present reporting criteria
adopted by CHP, which was "any child presenting with renal diseases including
calculi and with history of exposure to melamine containing dairy product".
On clinical management, the Hospital Authority would revisit the referral
criteria from DC to SAC, taking into account new evidence and empirical
experience and other service factors.
On data analysis, the Hospital Authority would systematically analyse the data
collected at DCs and SACs. The results would be used for further risk assessment
and risk communication, and for refinement of referral criteria and clinical
management protocols.
The Government would commission research to assess the potential medium to
long-term health effects associated with melamine exposure including laboratory
studies and basic science research. These should take the form of multi-partite
collaboration between the Department of Health, Hospital Authority and the
universities.
Turning to food safety, the expert group endorsed a priority list for testing of
food types with milk content in descending order as follows: infant milk powder
and infant food; raw milk/fresh milk; dairy products; dairy based
desserts/confectioneries; beverages and drinks; cereals and cereal products;
preserves/confectionaries containing milk products; soups, sauces, gravies and
salad cream.
The test results should continue to be published daily through press releases
and on the web.
For surveillance strategy, the expert group recommended the Centre for Food
Safety (CFS) extend the scope of testing to cover Mainland raw materials
commonly used in manufacturing local food products.
On testing programme, the expert group endorsed that CFS would gradually adjust
the quantity of the samples to be tested from 100 per day to around 100 per
week.
The expert group recommended CFS conduct a review at the end of the three-month
period to determine the frequency and targeted products testing as part of the
routine surveillance programme. Apart from monitoring the situation through
testing, CFS would also require importers to provide appropriate certification
on the melamine content of the food, should they intend to import products that
have been found failing the legal standard under the surveillance.
Regarding the regulatory standards of melamine in food, the expert group noted
that the current legal limit of melamine was strict enough to protect public
health and should be maintained as such.
On testing capability, the Food and Health Bureau would review the medium and
long-term resource requirements of the Government Laboratory (GL). Knowing that
some private laboratories have been offering services to the trade for melamine
testing, GL conducted a technical seminar on the chemical testing of melamine in
dairy products for the private laboratories on September 23.
In conclusion, Dr Chow said: "The expert group will take forward the
recommendations set out and ensure that its tasks are promptly and effectively
discharged.
"The three sub-groups will closely monitor implementation and report progress to
the Expert group in three months' time.
"We will remain vigilant on any new development and endeavour to address with
top priority, public concerns on the issue."
The expert group was set up on September 26 to ensure the protection of the
health of Hong Kong citizens in the wake of the discovery of melamine in milk
and milk products. Under it were three sub-groups on health services, treatment
and food safety, supply and control.
Released today, the report can be viewed on the website of the Food and Health
Bureau at www.fhb.gov.hk.
Ends/Monday, October 20, 2008
Issued at HKT 18:50
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