************************************************************
The Secretary for Food and Health, Dr York Chow, today (January 21) submitted the second report by the Expert Group on Melamine Incident to the Chief Secretary for Administration. This report sets out the progress made on the implementation of the expert group's recommendations in its first report released on October 20, 2008.
The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Henry Tang, was pleased to note that under the expert group's leadership, Hong KongĄ¯s public health services had fully met the demands arising from the melamine incident and strategic food testings had also been conducted to ensure food safety.
Mr Tang said, "I would like to thank the non-official members of the expert group for their valuable contribution, and to thank all colleagues for their tireless work in handling the melamine incident. I am confident the expert group and colleagues will remain vigilant and take appropriate measures to protect public health."
Dr Chow, who is also the chairman of the expert group, said this second report outlined the continued efforts of the Government in resolving issues arising from the melamine incident.
On health services, the expert group noted that the number of enquiries made to the Centre for Health Protection's (CHP's) telephone hotline and demands for services at the Hospital Authority's (HA's) Designated Clinics (DCs) and Special Assessment Centres (SACs) had been on the decline and the services had been operating smoothly. The expert group has committed to provide the services at the DCs and SACs until the end of March 2009.
The report said that the CHP should continue with the notification arrangement of cases and announcement of case reports.
On the progress regarding medical treatment, the expert group endorsed a set of case definitions further adopted by the CHP to assess the real burden of disease. The revised case definition was promulgated to local doctors by the CHP on December 9, 2008.
Symposia were conducted by the HA to share with local medical professionals the screening programme and clinical management of children affected by melamine tainted milk products and laboratory testing of clinical specimens. The HA also disseminated to private partners updated management guidelines.
On clinical management, the HA has been working closely with its experts to observe new progress and developments, and was prepared to update the information regularly.
On data analysis, the expert group considered that the overall findings suggested that selection of children at risk would be a more cost-effective approach for the screening programme.
Regarding the commission of research, the expert group was pleased to note that preparation for research studies to assess the potential medium to long term health effects associated with melamine exposure was making progress and the actual studies would begin in February/March 2009. The expert group was also kept abreast of the research studies conducted and published by local and Mainland institutions.
The expert group was particularly keen for the Food and Health Bureau to maintain an active interest in the development of the melamine incident on the Mainland and maintain close liaison with international health and food authorities and the local scientific community for the latest information.
Turning to food safety, the Centre for Food Safety (CFS) had been conducting surveillance and sampling in accordance with the programme endorsed by the expert group, with suitable adjustments in the light of prevailing developments and the latest testing results.
The first phase from mid September to late October 2008 focused on products most directly at risk. Testing results of about 80-100 samples were announced daily.
The second phase from late October to mid November 2008 focused on source control and testing. It was extended to Mainland raw materials commonly used by local food manufacturers.
The third phase from mid November 2008 to mid February 2009 is a three-month period with surveillance and sampling focused on products identified to be of higher risk from the previous testing and any other relevant food types. In this phase, about 100 samples are tested each week. The test results are announced twice weekly, except for unsatisfactory results which will be announced at once.
The expert group noted that the overall unsatisfactory rate of tested food samples was less than 1%. A review of the testing programme will be conducted after completion of the third phase. Barring unforeseen developments, the testing of melamine will be incorporated into the routine surveillance programme and a risk-based approach will continue to be employed with special attention given to products with unsatisfactory results from previous testing. The testing results will be released publicly at regular intervals.
As food safety was a major concern, the Government introduced the Public Health and Municipal Services (Amendment) Bill 2008 into the Legislative Council on November 5 to help tackle food safety incidents, like the melamine incident, in a timely and effective manner.
The expert group also noted that in the light of detection of exceeded levels of melamine in fresh shell eggs imported from the Mainland and reports of animal feed being tainted with melamine on the Mainland in late October 2008, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) had set the detection limit of melamine in animal feed at 2.5 mg/kg feed, with effect from November 7, 2008.
The AFCD then tested a total of 27 feed samples and 139 animal samples collected from local farms and only one sample of marine fish feed was found to contain melamine exceeding the detection level. The AFCD had asked local fish farmers to stop using the feed concerned, and informed the Mainland authorities of the finding.
In conclusion, Dr Chow said: "The three sub-groups set up under the expert group will continue to monitor the implementation of the various measures to deal with the incident and report progress to the expert group in another three months.
"The expert group will then further review the latest situation and consider whether the various services may be incorporated into the regular and routine services provided by the various departments and the HA.
"To keep the Chief Secretary for Administration apprised of the progress of work, the expert group will provide the next report in March 2009."
Dr Chow said he would like to thank the food trade for their co-operation with Government in enhancing food safety; and the medical profession and clinical staff both in the private and public sectors for their professionalism and dedication. He said he was also grateful to the experts, academics and representatives of government bureaux and departments who serve on the group as members and contribute invaluable advice to its work.
The expert group was set up on September 26, 2008, to ensure the protection of the health of Hong Kong citizens in the wake of the discovery of melamine in milk and milk products. It submitted its first report on October 20, 2008. Under it are three sub-groups on health services, treatment and food safety, supply and control.
Released today, the second report can be viewed on the website of the Food and Health Bureau at (www.fhb.gov.hk).
Ends/Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Issued at HKT 17:11
NNNN
