CFS to launch second population-based food consumption survey tomorrow (with photo)
The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department will launch the Second Hong Kong Population-based Food Consumption Survey tomorrow (April 13) to collect up-to-date food consumption information (covering types and amounts of food consumed) of Hong Kong people.
The Consultant (Community Medicine) (Risk Assessment and Communication) of the CFS, Dr Samuel Yeung, said at a press conference today (April 12), "The CFS has been conducting a variety of risk assessments on the population's exposure to various food hazards (such as pesticides, metallic contaminants and food additives) from the food consumed by them. The food consumption data collected in the survey is one of the cornerstones of the food safety risk assessment work of the CFS. Risk assessment is important in safeguarding food safety and public health, and provides useful information and a scientific basis for the Government's formulation of effective policies and risk management measures as well as providing food safety advice to members of the public."
He pointed out that the first Hong Kong Population-based Food Consumption Survey was conducted in 2005-07. Given that the dietary pattern of the local population may have changed over time, there is a need to conduct the second survey to gauge the latest food consumption pattern so as to enable the CFS to carry out professional and efficient risk assessment and management work.
The approximately year-long survey to cover different food consumption patterns of the local population during this period will start tomorrow, targeting Hong Kong people aged 18 or above. Individual households will be randomly selected for the survey, with one member randomly picked from each household for interviews. The survey aims to complete interviews with about 5,000 people.
Two interviews will be conducted for each respondent, who will be requested to provide information on food and drinks consumed in a specific 24 hours in each interview. In addition, information about consumption of some designated foods in the past 12 months as well as weight, height, age and more will be collected in the first interview. All personal data of the respondents will be kept strictly confidential.
The CFS has commissioned Policy 21 Limited to conduct the survey. Invitation letters will be sent in batches within one year to the selected households to explain the aim of the survey and related interview arrangements.
Dr Yeung said that public participation is essential in ensuring the reliability of the survey results and food safety in Hong Kong. He appealed to selected households to actively respond by calling the Policy 21 office to schedule times for the interviews upon receipt of the invitation letter.
When visiting the selected households, all interviewers will wear a designated purple polo shirt uniform and a badge showing the title of the survey together with an identity card issued by the CFS and Policy 21 for checking. Members of the public may call Policy 21's hotline at 6897 5709 between 9am and 10pm daily for verification of the interviewer's identity and enquiries.
For more information about the survey, please visit the CFS' webpage (www.cfs.gov.hk/english/programme/programme_firm/programme_fcs_2nd_Survey.html) or call the CFS at 2381 6096 during office hours.
Ends/Thursday, April 12, 2018
The Centre for Food Safety of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department will launch the Second Hong Kong Population-based Food Consumption Survey tomorrow (April 13). Interviewers will wear a designated purple polo shirt uniform and an identity card for the survey when visiting the selected households.
The Centre for Food Safety of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department will launch the Second Hong Kong Population-based Food Consumption Survey tomorrow (April 13). Selected households will receive an invitation letter with the title of the survey printed on the envelope.