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People can enjoy healthy food at privileged prices in restaurants in Yau Tsim Mong District throughout August by presenting coupons distributed free-of-charge starting today (July 29).
The district-based EatSmart Dining Offer, jointly launched by the Department of Health (DH) and the Executive Committee of Yau Tsim Mong Healthy City, is one of the promotional activities of the department's "EatSmart@restaurant.hk" Campaign. Fifteen EatSmart Restaurants in the district threw their support behind the event.
The Assistant Director of Health (Health Promotion), Dr Regina Ching, said at the event launching ceremony today that the majority of people hoped restaurants could provide more healthy food choices.
Their pursuit of healthy eating would be satisfied by the territory-wide "EatSmart@restaurant.hk" Campaign launched by the department, she said.
"This campaign enables the Department of Health to work in alliance with the catering industry to drive a healthy eating culture," Dr Ching said.
"A total of 306 restaurants have joined us with the largest number of participating restaurants in Yau Tsim Mong District."
EatSmart Restaurants have pledged to provide at least five EatSmart Dishes of "More Fruit and Vegetables" and "3 Less" in selected business hours everyday. These healthier options will be labelled with specially designed logos to facilitate customers' choice.
Dr Ching said successful promotion of healthy eating relied on both the support from the catering industry and the demand for healthy menus by customers.
The Executive Committee of Yau Tsim Mong Healthy City is one of the departmentˇ¦s partners in putting forward the "EatSmart@restaurant.hk" Campaign. Its chairman, Mr Yip Wah, said the committee would not only actively invite local restaurants to join the campaign, but would also produce free brochures to further promote the concept of healthy eating.
From now until the end of this month, people can obtain coupons for free from Yau Tsim Mong District Office Public Enquiry Service Centre, Mong Kok Community Hall, Henry G. Leong Yau Ma Tei Community Centre or designated exits of MTR stations within the district during specified time periods. Customers with coupons can enjoy at least 10% off any EatSmart dish.
Mr Yip Wah and Miss Hong Kong 2007 Cheung Ka-yi, joined with Dr Ching today to take the lead in distributing coupons to passer-bys outside the Mong Kok Government Offices.
Similar privileges are also available in Sha Tin District.
Dr Ching said, "Through the event, we hope the healthy eating culture can become more popular among the public and gradually become part of their lives."
People can browse the thematic website of "EatSmart@restaurant.hk" Campaign (http://restaurant.eatsmart.gov.hk) for more information on the campaign.
Ends/Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Issued at HKT 16:32
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