Press Releases

Acting SFH on Ebola virus and pesticide residues in vegetables

Following is the transcript of remarks made by the Acting Secretary for Food and Health, Professor Sophia Chan, after attending the grand finale and luncheon for the "Bless Hong Kong" Campaign today (August 8):

Reporter: (on preventive measures against Ebola virus)

Acting Secretary for Food and Health: The World Health Organisation (WHO) will have a meeting to discuss the development of Ebola (virus). We will be working very closely with the WHO to look at the latest developments and its recommendations and suggestions. Regarding the latest (situation of the Ebola virus), we have already been giving health education pamphlets to holders of passports of the three (affected) countries in West Africa. As of today, we have added Nigeria to the list. We also would recommend Hong Kong citizens not to travel to (Lagos in) Nigeria if it is not really needed. There will be broadcasts of health education or (disease) prevention information in the airport in the next day or so.

Reporter: (on pesticide residues in vegetables)

Acting Secretary for Food and Health: As you may know, we have a new regulation on pesticide residues in food starting from August 1. So far, all the (vegetable) samples we have tested are satisfactory. Our testing mechanism started with the import level as well as the wholesale and retail level. All the samples tested are satisfactory. As for the recent media reports about less supply in four particular types of vegetables, we have confirmed with Mainland China that they have not issued any statement to ban the export of those vegetables.

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)

Ends/Friday, August 8, 2014
Issued at HKT 17:42

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