Make a wise food choice to ensure food safety (with photo)

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (June 22) called on members of the public and the food trade to be smart consumers and purchase food from reliable shops and suppliers to ensure food safety.

"Choose" is the theme of this year's food safety publicity campaign. Officiating at the opening ceremony of Food Safety Day 2013 today, the Permanent Secretary for Food and Health (Food), Mrs Marion Lai, said that the campaign's slogan, "Make a wise food choice", is intended to remind consumers that apart from purchasing food from reliable shops and suppliers, they should also choose fresh and hygienic food.

When choosing ready-to-eat, cooked or perishable food items, consumers should pick those which are properly stored. People should not buy expired food items, or damaged or swollen canned food, Mrs Lai said.

She added that in addition to the Government's efforts, food safety also requires the support of the public and the food trade. Under the Food Safety Ordinance, which commenced its full operation last year, food importers and distributors are required to register with the Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene and to keep records relating to movement of food to facilitate source tracing of problematic products.

The Food Safety Charter, jointly developed by the CFS and the food trade in 2008, has also received continuous support from the food trade. Representatives from the food trade associations joined today's ceremony to sign up to the Charter and commit to providing quality services grounded in food safety to Hong Kong people and tourists.

The CFS today also held an award presentation ceremony for the Safe FoodDGourmet Paradise photo competition. Winning entries displayed the unlimited variety of high quality and delicious food available in Hong Kong that best describe its international reputation as a "Gourmet Paradise" and a place where food safety always comes first.

Food Safety Day 2013 is one of the key events under the "Hong Kong: Our Home" Campaign. A series of food safety publicity initiatives, including TV and radio announcements in the public interest and posters, will be launched following today's ceremony. The CFS, joined by various food trade associations, will also organise a series of talks between July and September to provide food safety information to the public and enhance awareness.

Also officiating at today's ceremony were the Deputy Chairman of the Legislative Council Panel on Food Safety and Environmental Hygiene, Mr Steven Ho, and the Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene, Mr Clement Leung.

The Permanent Secretary for Food and Health (Food), Mrs Marion Lai (third left), launches Food Safety Day 2013 today (June 22). Other officiating guests (from left to right) are the Deputy Chief Executive of Consumer Council, Mr Simon Chui; member of the Legislative Council Panel on Food Safety and Environmental Hygiene, Mr Vincent Fang; the Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene, Mr Clement Leung; the Deputy Chairman of the Legislative Council Panel on Food Safety and Environmental Hygiene, Mr Steven Ho and the Chairman of Expert Committee on Food Safety, Professor Ma Ching-yung.

Ends/Saturday, June 22, 2013
Issued at HKT 18:21