I am very delighted to join the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) in March 2014 which works solidly for the betterment of Hong Kong through ensuring food safety and maintaining a clean and hygienic living environment. I look forward to working with my colleagues to meet the challenges ahead and continue to deliver quality service to the community.

The Department, under the leadership of the former Director Mr Clement Leung, made steady progress and achievements in 2013.

Following the outbreak of H7N9 Avian Influenza on the Mainland, FEHD enhanced preventive and control measures by stepping up environmental surveillance at live poultry retail outlets and strengthening inspection of live poultry from the Mainland at the Man Kam To Animal Inspection Station. Since April 2013, the Centre for Food Safety (CFS) has conducted H7 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test (genetic testing) on imported live poultry upon their entry at the boundary control point.

The safety of infant formula products was another issue that had attracted considerable public attention last year. In August, after receipt of information on the suspected Clostridium botulinum contamination of milk formulae produced by a New Zealand dairy enterprise, CFS took prompt follow-up actions including closely liaising with the relevant authorities and trade, taking samples of milk products from local retail outlets for pathogen testing, as well as setting up a telephone hotline to answer public enquiries. Swift response by CFS and all parties concerned effectively managed the food incident and assuaged public concerns in a timely manner.

To address public concern on nutritional composition of follow-up formula products, CFS released the test results of a study on 89 follow-up formulae. It also completed a public consultation in which respondents had expressed strong support for the legislative proposals to regulate nutritional composition of infant formulae and nutrition labelling of infant formulae, follow-up formulae and other foods for infants and young children.

Food surveillance and risk assessment are key components of CFS' work to ensure food safety. In 2013, CFS released the reports on metallic contaminants, acrylamide and mycotoxins of the first Hong Kong Total Diet Study, reports on five Seasonal Food Surveillance projects and 11 Targeted Surveillance projects, as well as embarking on several risk assessment projects.

CFS strives to enhance risk communication with the public and the trade. In 2013, it launched a series of publicity activities to promote food safety and set up a Facebook page to disseminate information on food safety and health. The Centre organised a public health workshop and a food safety seminar to facilitate interactive exchanges among the Government, experts and the food trade.

To prepare the industry for the commencement of the Pesticide Residues in Food Regulation scheduled for August 2014, CFS has been providing briefings, training and guidelines for different food sectors.

To improve operational effectiveness in inspecting Mainland foods imported through the Man Kam To land boundary, the extension of Man Kam To Food Control Office started operation in March 2013.

On the front of environmental hygiene, FEHD stepped up its enforcement actions against illegal extension of business area by food premises. The Department set up in May, on a pilot basis, a task force to pursue enhanced enforcement actions in Tsuen Wan and Kwai Chung. Additional task force teams are in the pipeline to tackle the problem in other black spots with the support of relevant District Councils.

On hawker management, the Department launched a five-year "Assistance Scheme for Hawkers in Fixed-pitch Hawker Areas" in June to improve the fire safety and operating environment for some 4,300 licensed fixed-pitch hawkers operating in 43 hawker areas in the territory. Under the scheme, a one-off grant/ex-gratia payment will be granted to hawkers who reconstruct their stalls at the same locations, relocate their stalls to other pitch spaces or choose to surrender their hawker licences. We will continue to take forward the assistance scheme in 2014.

The Department has been reviewing the provision of cemeteries, columbaria and crematoria facilities and striving to provide more facilities to meet future demand. In 2013, a total of 15,562 new niches located in Wo Hop Shek Kiu Tau Road Columbarium Phase V and Diamond Hill Columbarium were made available for allocation. Works to upgrade the cremation facilities at Cape Collinson Crematorium (Phase II) has begun upon completion of the reprovisioning of Wo Hop Shek Crematorium and Cape Collinson Crematorium (Phase I). In addition, FEHD has been working with other Government departments to consult relevant District Councils on suitable sites for public columbarium development under the district-based columbarium development scheme, in which 24 potential sites in 18 districts have been identified.

At the same time, the Department is taking active steps to promote "green burial". To encourage scattering of cremated human ashes in gardens of remembrance (GoRs), a new GoR at Wo Hop Shek Kiu Tau Road Columbarium Phase V, which comprised both Western and Chinese design concepts, was open for public use. As the free ferry service for the scattering of ashes is well received by the public, the Department further increased the number of sails to four per month starting January 2013.

FEHD was most honoured to receive, together with the Architectural Services Department, the Gold Prize for the Partnership Award in the Civil Service Outstanding Service Award Scheme 2013, for the new columbarium, crematorium and Gardens of Remembrance project at Kiu Tau Road, Wo Hop Shek.

In April 2013, in support of the Government's city-wide "Hong Kong: Our Home" Campaign, the Department held a three-day Territory-wide Cleansing Campaign between April 26 and 28. A total of 15 Principal Officials and hundreds of District Councillors participated in the campaign to enhance public awareness of the importance of keeping the environment clean and observing good personal hygiene.

The Department has been actively developing e-services to cater for the needs of the community. In June 2013, we introduced online booking of cremation services. Payment by credit card or PPS and prepaid token function for online cremation booking services are provided. Electronic forms on food businesses, trade licences and permits were also introduced in July 2013. In addition, some 45,000 and 37,000 webpages of FEHD and CFS websites were enhanced respectively to facilitate people with disabilities or physical constraints to obtain information and services more easily.

Looking ahead, we are taking forward a number of initiatives, including further studies and legislative proposals to better protect food safety. The Government is also considering regulating genetically modified food by introducing a mandatory pre-market safety assessment scheme in Hong Kong. We plan to launch the public consultation in 2014.

The Government has commissioned a consultancy study to assist in developing proposals for improving the operating environment of public markets thereby enabling them to fulfil the functions expected of them. The study commenced in December 2013 and we expect the consultant to submit the findings of the study in 2014.

To conclude, FEHD had a fruitful year in 2013. We will continue to work in earnest to provide quality service to the public and enhance food safety and public hygiene.

Vivian Lau
Director
Food and Environmental Hygiene Department