Press Releases
Second report of Expert Group on Melamine Incident submitted to CS
The Secretary for Food and Health, Dr York Chow, today (January 21)
submitted the second report by the Expert Group on Melamine Incident to the
Chief Secretary for Administration. This report sets out the progress made
on the implementation of the expert group's recommendations in its first
report released on October 20, 2008.
The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Henry Tang, was pleased to note
that under the expert group's leadership, Hong Kong��s public health services
had fully met the demands arising from the melamine incident and strategic
food testings had also been conducted to ensure food safety.
Mr Tang said, "I would like to thank the non-official members of the expert
group for their valuable contribution, and to thank all colleagues for their
tireless work in handling the melamine incident. I am confident the expert
group and colleagues will remain vigilant and take appropriate measures to
protect public health."
Dr Chow, who is also the chairman of the expert group, said this second
report outlined the continued efforts of the Government in resolving issues
arising from the melamine incident.
On health services, the expert group noted that the number of enquiries made
to the Centre for Health Protection's (CHP's) telephone hotline and demands
for services at the Hospital Authority's (HA's) Designated Clinics (DCs) and
Special Assessment Centres (SACs) had been on the decline and the services
had been operating smoothly. The expert group has committed to provide the
services at the DCs and SACs until the end of March 2009.
The report said that the CHP should continue with the notification
arrangement of cases and announcement of case reports.
On the progress regarding medical treatment, the expert group endorsed a set
of case definitions further adopted by the CHP to assess the real burden of
disease. The revised case definition was promulgated to local doctors by the
CHP on December 9, 2008.
Symposia were conducted by the HA to share with local medical professionals
the screening programme and clinical management of children affected by
melamine tainted milk products and laboratory testing of clinical specimens.
The HA also disseminated to private partners updated management guidelines.
On clinical management, the HA has been working closely with its experts to
observe new progress and developments, and was prepared to update the
information regularly.
On data analysis, the expert group considered that the overall findings
suggested that selection of children at risk would be a more cost-effective
approach for the screening programme.
Regarding the commission of research, the expert group was pleased to note
that preparation for research studies to assess the potential medium to long
term health effects associated with melamine exposure was making progress
and the actual studies would begin in February/March 2009. The expert group
was also kept abreast of the research studies conducted and published by
local and Mainland institutions.
The expert group was particularly keen for the Food and Health Bureau to
maintain an active interest in the development of the melamine incident on
the Mainland and maintain close liaison with international health and food
authorities and the local scientific community for the latest information.
Turning to food safety, the Centre for Food Safety (CFS) had been conducting
surveillance and sampling in accordance with the programme endorsed by the
expert group, with suitable adjustments in the light of prevailing
developments and the latest testing results.
The first phase from mid September to late October 2008 focused on products
most directly at risk. Testing results of about 80-100 samples were
announced daily.
The second phase from late October to mid November 2008 focused on source
control and testing. It was extended to Mainland raw materials commonly used
by local food manufacturers.
The third phase from mid November 2008 to mid February 2009 is a three-month
period with surveillance and sampling focused on products identified to be
of higher risk from the previous testing and any other relevant food types.
In this phase, about 100 samples are tested each week. The test results are
announced twice weekly, except for unsatisfactory results which will be
announced at once.
The expert group noted that the overall unsatisfactory rate of tested food
samples was less than 1%. A review of the testing programme will be
conducted after completion of the third phase. Barring unforeseen
developments, the testing of melamine will be incorporated into the routine
surveillance programme and a risk-based approach will continue to be
employed with special attention given to products with unsatisfactory
results from previous testing. The testing results will be released publicly
at regular intervals.
As food safety was a major concern, the Government introduced the Public
Health and Municipal Services (Amendment) Bill 2008 into the Legislative
Council on November 5 to help tackle food safety incidents, like the
melamine incident, in a timely and effective manner.
The expert group also noted that in the light of detection of exceeded
levels of melamine in fresh shell eggs imported from the Mainland and
reports of animal feed being tainted with melamine on the Mainland in late
October 2008, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD)
had set the detection limit of melamine in animal feed at 2.5 mg/kg feed,
with effect from November 7, 2008.
The AFCD then tested a total of 27 feed samples and 139 animal samples
collected from local farms and only one sample of marine fish feed was found
to contain melamine exceeding the detection level. The AFCD had asked local
fish farmers to stop using the feed concerned, and informed the Mainland
authorities of the finding.
In conclusion, Dr Chow said: "The three sub-groups set up under the expert
group will continue to monitor the implementation of the various measures to
deal with the incident and report progress to the expert group in another
three months.
"The expert group will then further review the latest situation and consider
whether the various services may be incorporated into the regular and
routine services provided by the various departments and the HA.
"To keep the Chief Secretary for Administration apprised of the progress of
work, the expert group will provide the next report in March 2009."
Dr Chow said he would like to thank the food trade for their co-operation
with Government in enhancing food safety; and the medical profession and
clinical staff both in the private and public sectors for their
professionalism and dedication. He said he was also grateful to the experts,
academics and representatives of government bureaux and departments who
serve on the group as members and contribute invaluable advice to its work.
The expert group was set up on September 26, 2008, to ensure the protection
of the health of Hong Kong citizens in the wake of the discovery of melamine
in milk and milk products. It submitted its first report on October 20,
2008. Under it are three sub-groups on health services, treatment and food
safety, supply and control.
Released today, the second report can be viewed on the website of the Food
and Health Bureau at (www.fhb.gov.hk).
Ends/Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Issued at HKT 17:11
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