| Date |
Event |
| 1 January |
The Department accepts electronic submission of applications for food business/trade licences and permits. Thirty-eight new electronic forms are made available on the FEHD website.
|
| 5 January |
The Department enhances some 45,000 and 37,000 webpages of FEHD and Centre for Food Safety websites respectively to facilitate people with disabilities or physical constraints to obtain information and services more easily.
|
| 11 January |
The Centre for Food Safety releases the fifth report of The First Hong Kong Total Diet Study: Metallic Contaminants.
|
| 14 January |
The Department enhances free ferry service for sea scattering of ashes by further increasing the number of sails to four times per month upon the commencement of a new contract. The vessel, which can accommodate more than 300 passengers, offers a more stable and comfortable voyage and provides a more spacious venue for holding memorial ceremonies for the deceased.
|
| 14 January to 15 March |
The first phase of the Anti-rodent Campaign 2013 is launched, targeting markets, market buildings, hawker bazaars, typhoon shelters, food premises, rear lanes close to food premises and other problematic spots identified in the territory.
|
| 31 January |
The Department provides seven new electronic forms related to cremation and crematoria services. The public can fill in, save, print and submit the forms over the internet.
|
| 4 to 10 February |
A total of 14 Lunar New Year Fairs are held in 12 districts.
|
| 10 to 24 February |
The Department holds Lunar New Year Fairs at Che Kung Temple, Sha Tin and Lam Tsuen Fong Ma Po, Tai Po.
|
| 18 February |
Upon completion of the reprovisioning of Wo Hop Shek Crematorium and Cape Collinson Crematorium (Phase I), the Department puts new cremators in service by phases to meet the increasing demand for cremation service.
|
| 25 February to 22 March |
The first phase of the Anti-mosquito Campaign 2013 is launched to arouse public awareness and encourage community participation in mosquito prevention and control.
|
| 28 February |
The Department launches digital map display of urn graves in Wo Hop Shek Cemetery for public allocation.
|
| 28 February |
The Department launches online services for booking of works sessions by registered funeral trade users.
|
| 23 March |
The Man Kam To Food Control Office is expanded to enhance operational effectiveness and efficiency of inspection of Mainland foods imported through the Man Kam To land boundary.
|
| 25 March |
The Nutrient Information Inquiry System (NIIS) is enhanced with some food photos sourced from the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, the Fish Marketing Organization, and the Vegetable Marketing Organization and with advanced search facility to aid food searching.
|
| 26 to 28 April |
To echo with "Hong Kong: Our Home" public participation campaign, the Territory-wide Cleansing Campaign is held to enhance public awareness of the importance of keeping the environment clean and observing good personal hygiene.
|
| 29 April to 5 July |
The second phase of the Anti-mosquito Campaign is launched, focusing on the importance of eliminating mosquito breeding places during the rainy season.
|
| 6 May |
A new Garden of Remembrance (GoR) at Wo Hop Shek Kiu Tau Road Columbarium Phase V opens for public application for scattering of ashes. The Western-style GoR is decorated with stone animal sculptures and thematic plaque walls, creating an artistic atmosphere.
|
| 11 to 14 May |
The Department sets up a booth in the Hong Kong Senior Fair 2013 to promote scattering of ashes in Gardens of Remembrance and at sea, as well as the Internet Memorial Service to senior citizens.
|
| 24 May |
The cremation booking office in Wu Chung House in Wan Chai is installed with Government Wi-Fi service.
|
| 1 June |
The Department rolls out online booking of cremation service.
|
| 3 June |
The Department launches a five-year "Assistance Scheme for Hawkers in Fixed-pitch Hawker Areas".
|
| 18 June |
The Department makes available another batch of 15,562 new niches located in Wo Hop Shek Kiu Tau Road Columbarium Phase V and Diamond Hill Columbarium for public allocation. Applicants can submit applications through various means, including online submission.
|
| 22 June |
The Centre for Food Safety kicks off a series of publicity activities under the theme "Make a Wise Food Choice" to promote good food-buying habits and food safety. Such initiatives include production of a set of TV and radio announcements in the public interest and organisation of the Food Safety Day 2013 at Citywalk, Tsuen Wan. The Award Presentation Ceremony for the "Safe Food‧Gourmet Paradise" Photo Competition is also held in the same event.
|
| 2 July to 30 August |
The second phase of the Anti-rodent Campaign is launched to sustain and consolidate the work carried out during the first phase and to enhance rodent control measures in targeted areas.
|
| 8 July |
The Department commences joint operations with the Lands Department to clear illegal graves on the slopes outside the boundary of Diamond Hill Urn Cemetery.
|
| 8 July |
The Sharing Session cum Award Presentation Ceremony of "Live it, Use it" Nutrition Labelling Promotion Award Scheme and Nutrition Labelling Fun Shopping Award Scheme is held at Hong Kong Central Library.
|
| 19 July |
The subsidiary legislation regarding the alignment of 93 FEHD fee items takes effect. Where the fee or charge for a service or facility differs between the urban areas and the New Territories, the lower rate prevails.
|
| 29 July |
The Centre for Food Safety releases the sixth report of The First Hong Kong Total Diet Study: Acrylamide.
|
| 31 July |
The Department provides 12 new electronic forms related to licensing services on the internet.
|
| 5 August |
The Department sets up a telephone hotline centre to handle public enquiries about infant formula products suspected to be affected by Clostridium botulinum.
|
| 6 August |
The Department holds an annual forum with service contractors to enhance tender quality and service performance.
|
| 16 August |
The Centre for Food Safety holds health talks on "Make a Wise Food Choice" and "Use Nutrition Labels to Become Sodium Savvy" at the Hong Kong Trade Development Council Food Expo 2013.
|
| 19 August to 11 October |
The third phase of the Anti-mosquito Campaign is launched to highlight the risk of dengue fever and Japanese Encephalitis and to sustain community efforts in controlling the vectors.
|
| 20 August |
A total of 23 food trade associations and 1,612 licensed food premises join the Food Safety Charter 2013-15. The Centre for Food Safety posts the list of Charter signatories on its website for public viewing. The Food Safety Charter icon is displayed on the OpenRice.com webpage next to the name of food premises that has signed up to the Charter to show the support of the Signatory to food safety.
|
| 2 September |
Payment by PPS is available for online cremation booking service.
|
| 3 September |
The Department draws 15,562 eligible applicants in a computer ballot for allocation of new niches at Wo Hop Shek Kiu Tau Road Columbarium Phase V and Diamond Hill Columbarium. Successful applicants are invited in batches to select niches according to the balloted priority.
|
| 6 September |
The Department, in collaboration with Architectural Services Department, wins the Gold Prize for the Partnership Award in the Civil Service Outstanding Service Award Scheme 2013. The award winning project is the new columbarium, crematorium and Gardens of Remembrance at Kiu Tau Road, Wo Hop Shek.
|
| 16 September |
The Centre for Food Safety organises the Food Safety Seminar for Trade at Hong Kong Central Library.
|
| 1 October |
The Centre for Food Safety launches its Facebook page to disseminate information on food safety and health and enhance communication and interaction with the public.
|
| 2 October |
The Chinese-style Garden of Remembrance at Wo Hop Shek Kiu Tau Road Columbarium Phase V opens for public application for scattering of ashes. It comprises three tiers, carrying different themes with different Chinese plantings: bamboo, plum and willow.
|
| 10 to 11 October |
The Centre for Food Safety holds "Veterinary Public Health Workshop 2013". Experts from Australia, China and Sweden share their experience and expertise in Veterinary Drugs, Avian Influenza and Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy.
|
| 7 to 8 November |
A delegation from the Centre for Food Safety attends 2013 Guangdong, Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Zhuhai and Macao Meeting on Health, Animal and Plant Quarantine and Food Safety Control in Shenzhen.
|
| 2 December |
Prepaid token function for online cremation booking service is launched.
|
| 18 December |
The Centre for Food Safety releases the seventh report of The First Hong Kong Total Diet Study: Mycotoxins.
|
| 19 to 20 December |
The Centre for Food Safety sets up an exhibition booth at the 48th Hong Kong Brands and Products Expo to promote various food safety issues.
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