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Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (August 19) released the findings of its Summer Food Surveillance Programme 2025. The results of about 2 270 food samples tested were satisfactory, except for three unsatisfactory samples that had been announced earlier. The overall satisfactory rate was 99.9 per cent. A CFS spokesman reminded members of the public to remain vigilant and pay more attention to food safety and environmental hygiene as the hot and humid climate of the long summer in Hong Kong facilitates the multiplication of bacteria.
　
The spokesman said, “The CFS collected about 2 270 samples from market stalls, restaurants, food factories, fresh provision shops, online vendors (including online retailers and online food delivery platforms) and others for tests.”
　
The samples comprised 547 samples of dairy products and frozen confections, 90 samples of cut fruit and salads, 129 samples of desserts and drinks, 57 samples of sandwiches, 163 samples of cold cuts or cooked meat products, 763 samples of aquatic products (such as sushi and sashimi, fish, crustaceans, molluscs and other edible aquatic animals) and 518 samples of other ready-to-eat foods.
　
The spokesman said that about 2 100 food samples were collected for microbiological tests, and about 170 samples for chemical tests. The results showed that except for two ice cream samples detected with coliform bacteria counts exceeding the legal limits and a frozen yoghurt sample detected with coliform bacteria and total bacterial counts exceeding the legal limits, the remaining samples were all satisfactory. The overall satisfactory rate was 99.9 per cent.
　
The CFS has announced the test results of the unsatisfactory samples and conducted follow-up actions, including instructing the vendors concerned to stop selling the relevant food and remove from shelves the affected products, and tracing the sources of the food items in question. The CFS has also arranged trade talks to remind food handlers to follow good hygiene practices when producing and storing frozen confections, and formulate food safety plans with reference to Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points system to ensure food safety. The CFS appeals to the trade that when manufacturing frozen confections, they should maintain good personal and environmental hygiene, cleaning and disinfecting utensils and equipment regularly and thoroughly in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, and properly store raw materials at appropriate temperatures to reduce the risk of food contamination.
　
The spokesman reminded members of the public in particular that raw or undercooked foods are high-risk foods as there is not any, or inadequate, heat treatment to eliminate the microorganisms present that can pose risks to human health. Raw or undercooked foods are also associated with the risk of contracting antimicrobial resistance (AMR) microorganisms. Although these AMR microorganisms may not cause illnesses, they may transfer their antibiotic resistance genes to other bacteria inside the human body, therefore affecting the effectiveness of the future use of antibiotics when needed. Susceptible populations such as pregnant women, young children, the elderly and people with weakened immunity (e.g. people with chronic diseases or those on antibiotics treatment, antacid and long-term steroids or drugs given to prevent transplant rejection) are of higher risk of being infected or having complications if they consume raw or undercooked foods due to their health status. They should therefore avoid eating raw and undercooked foods.

Members of the public should pay attention to food safety, especially in summer, and observe the following Five Keys to Food Safety in order to reduce the risk of foodborne diseases:

• choose (choose safe raw materials);
• clean (keep hands and utensils clean);
• separate (separate raw and cooked food);
• cook (cook thoroughly); and
• safe temperature (keep food at a safe temperature).

Members of the public are also reminded to dine out in licensed and hygienic restaurants. Food premises selling sushi and sashimi or other high-risk foods require a special permit. The public should patronise only those with relevant licences or permits issued by the FEHD.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Department of Health (DH) announced today (August 19) that the Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office (TACO) will equip frontline staff with body-worn video cameras (body cameras) starting tomorrow (August 20) to assist them in carrying out their duties more effectively and to safeguard the safety of the public and TACO personnel. TACO’s frontline staff will use the devices as necessary, based on actual needs and circumstances.

To effectively protect the public from the hazard of second-hand smoke and deter smoking violations, TACO regularly inspects all statutory no smoking areas to enforce the smoking ban. TACO has flexibly deployed resources and adopted new enforcement strategies since 2023, which include extending the time of surveillance and inspections in no smoking areas, deploying plain-clothes officers to take proactive enforcement actions, and will issue fixed penalty notices (FPNs) to smoking offenders without warning. The number of prosecutions against illegal smoking has surged due to the new enforcement strategies. The number of FPNs issued increased from 6 296 in 2022 to 10 261 in 2023 and 13 488 in 2024.

Starting tomorrow, Tobacco and Alcohol Control Inspectors (see photo) will wear body cameras while they are discharging their duties and will record on-site situations when necessary. Body cameras will be worn conspicuously by Tobacco and Alcohol Control Inspectors in uniform and will be used in an open and transparent manner. If they encounter unexpected or conflicting incidents and consider it necessary to record the situations, Tobacco and Alcohol Control Inspectors will, where reasonably practicable, notify the person(s) concerned of the body camera prior to the commencement of recording in order to safeguard the safety of the public and enforcement officers as well as to collect evidence. The body camera will display a blinking red light during recording to notify those involved that they are being recorded.

Making reference to the experience of relevant law enforcement departments in the use of body cameras, TACO has formulated clear enforcement guidelines and provided training for frontline staff. When handling relevant footage, TACO will ensure compliance with the regulations of the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance (Cap. 486). Footage that carries no investigative or evidential value, or constitutes no other legitimate purpose, will be deleted after 31 days from the date it was recorded to ensure that no excessive personal data is retained.

For details on access to the footage, please visit the TACO website.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     According to the latest labour force statistics (i.e. provisional figures for May – July 2025) released today (August 19) by the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD), the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased from 3.5% in April – June 2025 to 3.7% in May – July 2025. The underemployment rate remained unchanged at 1.4% in the two periods.
 
     Comparing May – July 2025 with April – June 2025, the unemployment rate (not seasonally adjusted) increased in many major economic sectors, with more distinct increases observed in the foundation and superstructure sector, food and beverage service activities sector, retail sector and real estate sector. Meanwhile, declines in the unemployment rate were seen in the cleaning and similar activities sector; decoration, repair and maintenance for buildings sector; and social work activities sector.  Movements in the underemployment rate in different industry sectors also varied, but the magnitudes were generally not large.
 
     Total employment increased by around 14 000 from 3 657 300 in April – June 2025 to 3 671 300 in May – July 2025.  Over the same period, the labour force also increased by around 22 700 from 3 793 500 to 3 816 200.
 
     The number of unemployed persons (not seasonally adjusted) increased by around 8 800 from 136 200 in April – June 2025 to 145 000 in May – July 2025. Over the same period, the number of underemployed persons also increased by around 2 600 from 52 600 to 55 200.
 
Commentary
 
     The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, said, “Although the latest unemployment rate rose slightly over the preceding three-month period, we note the positive development that the total employment also increased during the same period. The uptick in the number of unemployed persons was partly attributable to the influx of fresh graduates and school leavers entering the labour market.”
 
     Looking ahead, Mr Sun said, “The sustained growth of the Hong Kong economy should be able to drive job creation, creating more employment opportunities for fresh graduates and school leavers joining the labour force. While unemployment rates across various industries will continue to hinge on their respective business conditions, the Government’s various measures to promote economic growth, bolster consumption sentiment and attract investment are anticipated to support the overall labour demand.”
 
Further information
 
     The unemployment and underemployment statistics were compiled from the findings of the continuous General Household Survey.
 
     In the survey, the definitions used in measuring unemployment and underemployment follow closely those recommended by the International Labour Organization. The employed population covers all employers, self-employed persons, employees (including full-time, part-time, casual workers, etc.) and unpaid family workers. Unemployed persons by industry (or occupation) are classified according to their previous industry (or occupation).
 
     The survey for May – July 2025 covered a sample of some 26 000 households or 68 000 persons, selected in accordance with a scientifically designed sampling scheme to represent the population of Hong Kong. Labour force statistics compiled from this sample represented the situation in the moving three-month period of May to July 2025.
 
     Data on labour force characteristics were obtained from the survey by interviewing each member aged 15 or over in the sampled households.
 
     Statistical tables on the latest labour force statistics can be downloaded at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/scode200.html). More detailed analysis of the labour force characteristics is given in the “Quarterly Report on General Household Survey” which is published four times a year. The latest issue of the report contains statistics for the quarter January – March 2025 while the next issue covering the quarter April – June 2025 will be available by end August 2025. Users can also browse and download this publication at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1050001&scode=200).
 
     For enquiries about labour force statistics, please contact the General Household Survey Section (3) of the C&SD (Tel: 2887 5508 or email: ghs@censtatd.gov.hk).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (August 19) that in view of a notification from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) about an outbreak of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in West Devon District of Devon County in the United Kingdom (UK), the CFS has instructed the trade to suspend the import of poultry meat and products (including poultry eggs) from the area with immediate effect to protect public health in Hong Kong.

A CFS spokesman said that according to the Census and Statistics Department, Hong Kong imported about 390 tonnes of chilled and frozen poultry meat, and about 830 000 poultry eggs from the UK in the first six months of this year.

“The CFS has contacted the British authority over the issue and will closely monitor information issued by the WOAH and the relevant authorities on the avian influenza outbreak. Appropriate action will be taken in response to the development of the situation,” the spokesman said.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

     Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (August 19) that the Environmental Protection Department has classified the water quality at Deep Water Bay Beach in Southern District, Hong Kong Island, as Grade 4, which means the beach is not suitable for swimming. The red flag has been hoisted. Beachgoers are advised not to swim at the beach until further notice.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, will depart for Beijing in the afternoon today (August 19).
 
     During his stay in Beijing, Mr Tse will visit the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, and the State Grid Corporation of China. He will also conduct site visits to the National Charging Infrastructure Monitoring and Service Platform, and the Beijing Power Exchange Center to keep abreast of the latest developments of the country in areas such as the electric vehicle charging network and the electricity market. The Director of Environmental Protection, Dr Samuel Chui, and the Commissioner for Climate Change, Mr Arthur Lee, will also join the visit.
　　 　　
     Mr Tse will return to Hong Kong on August 21. During his absence, the Deputy Financial Secretary, Mr Michael Wong, will be the Acting Secretary for Environment and Ecology.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (August 19) that due to big waves, red flags have been hoisted at Shek O Beach in Southern District, Hong Kong Island, and Hap Mun Bay Beach in Sai Kung District. Beachgoers are advised not to swim at these beaches.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region