Press Releases

Third report of Expert Group on Melamine Incident submitted to CS

The Secretary for Food and Health, Dr York Chow, today (April 15) submitted the third report by the Expert Group on Melamine Incident to the Chief Secretary for Administration. The third report concluded the progress made on the implementation of the Expert Group's recommendations in first two reports released earlier and highlighted the future arrangements. As the situation has stablised, the Expert Group was dissolved today after the publication of the third report.

The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Henry Tang, was pleased to note that the Government had satisfactorily dealt with the incident in a timely manner and had addressed public concern, protected public health and ensured food safety with the Expert Group taking the lead in handling the melamine incident.

"Addressing such community concerns requires the concerted efforts and swift response of government, public and private agencies in a co-ordinated manner," Mr Tang said.

Mr Tang thanked the local food trade for its co-operation with the Government to enhance food safety; the food, medical and scientific experts for their expert advice; the medical profession, clinical staff and other frontline staff, both in the private and public sectors, for their professionalism, dedication and tireless efforts in meeting the service needs of the public.

Dr Chow, who is also the chairman of the Expert Group, said the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) had so far received 15 reported cases of children with renal stones suspected to be related to melamine tainted milk products (MTMP). The acute health impact was much lower than initially anticipated.

"In the period after the release of the Expert Group's second report on January 21, 2009, the situation further stabilised in February and March. The number of attendances at Designated Clinics (DCs) declined from a daily average of 30 in January 2009 to 20 in February and 18 in March," he said.

In view of the decreasing demands, the free screening and assessment services at DCs and Special Assessment Centres (SACs) of the Hospital Authority ceased operation on April 1 and April 10, 2009 respectively. Public announcements on the closure of DCs and SACs were made twice in March. After the closure of DCs and SACs, children suspected to have renal symptoms related to MTMP can attend a General Outpatient Clinic (GOPC) for assessment and the GOPC consultation fee ($45) will apply. Since April 1, there have been two children attending GOPCs for renal symptoms suspected to be related to MTMP, and one was referred to Specialist Outpatient Clinic for follow-up assessment. The Hospital Authority will continue to monitor the demands for the services at GOPCs until the end of May.

For the 15 children diagnosed with renal stones suspected to be related to the consumption of MTMP, 14 of them are being followed up by the Hospital Authority while one patient is being followed up by a private doctor.

CHP will continue its surveillance function. The Hospital Authority and private doctors have been asked to report cases to CHP under the prevailing case definition, reporting criteria and mechanism.

On food safety, following a review of the testing programme in mid-February, testing of melamine has been incorporated into the Centre for Food Safety's (CFS's) routine surveillance programme. The Government Laboratory has continued to support CFS by conducting melamine testing of food samples. A total of 5,608 food samples were tested since September 2008, with only 40 samples found to exceed the legal limits, an overall failure rate of 0.71%.

The Expert Group has, since the early stage of the incident, placed much emphasis on public communication by publishing information on the latest developments. CHP had operated a dedicated telephone enquiry hotline to answer public enquiries and issued regular press releases since September 21, 2008. CFS began the telephone hotline and regular press releases on September 16, 2008.

With the decreasing demand for the hotline services in recent months and the closure of DCs, it was announced earlier that the daily press releases and CHP's dedicated hotline services would cease on April 1. To keep the public informed, CHP will still issue a press release upon receipt of a new case report in future.

CFS's hotline which also provides enquiry services on other food safety issues is maintained. At present, CFS issues press releases on bi-weekly basis to announce the testing results for melamine in food samples whereas unsatisfactory results will be announced as soon as they are available.

With the endorsement of the Expert Group, testing results of melamine will be published monthly with effect from May via the Food Safety Report of CFS, together with the other testing conducted under the routine surveillance programme.

With regard to future actions, while the melamine incident is largely stabilised and the testing results have been satisfactory, CFS will remain vigilant and will continue to conduct food surveillance at the import, wholesale and retail level, monitor closely the development of food safety issues around the world and maintain close liaison with the food safety authorities of the Mainland and overseas food supplying countries and places.

As recommended by the Expert Group, the Food and Health Bureau (FHB) has commissioned and funded 10 research studies to be conducted by local institutions to assess the potential medium to long-term effects of melamine exposure, focusing on cohort studies, laboratory testing, animal models or other basic science research. FHB will monitor progress of these projects and research findings will be made public on completion.

In conclusion, Dr Chow said public anxiety regarding the melamine incident had been much relieved with the various measures co-ordinated by the Expert Group, but government bureaus and departments and the Hospital Authority would continue to remain vigilant. He added that the report highlighted the important experience gained from handling of the incident - cross-boundary collaboration, co-ordination and co-operation within Hong Kong, emergency responses and surge capacity, and communication with the public.

"The experience is important to our preparedness for future emergency response.

"Timely access to accurate information, risk evaluation and risk communication are crucial in ensuring public confidence in the Government's capability in handling the incident and actively managing the situation," Dr Chow said.

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. As the situation stabilises, the Expert Group will be dissolved after issue of the third report. Follow-up actions in respect of health services, treatment, medical research, food testing for melamine and monitoring of the development will continue to be undertaken by the respective government departments and Hospital Authority under FHB's co-ordination.

The third report can be viewed on FHB's website at www.fhb.gov.hk .



Ends/Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Issued at HKT 17:01

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