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The Permanent Secretary for Food and Health (Food), Mrs Marion Lai, met major food and infant formula suppliers, importers and retailers today (March 22) to discuss the impact of the earthquake and nuclear incident in Japan on the local supply of food and infant formula. The meeting also discussed how the Government and the trade would work together to maintain an adequate and stable supply of food.
After the meeting, Mrs Lai said that with the diversity of sources of food imports to Hong Kong, different types of Japanese food constituted only a small portion of Hong Kong's total imports. The effect on the overall food supply in Hong Kong would only be minimal and there was no cause for alarm. Due to the priority of meeting domestic demand after the catastrophe, various types of Japanese food might be in short supply.
Representatives of supermarket chains, frozen food wholesalers and other retailers said that the quantity of imports from the affected areas in Japan was small and the trade had been actively identifying new sources of supply, including other regions of Japan and other countries. The wholesale and retail trade have ample food stocks on hand. The trade will closely monitor stock levels and seek replenishment well in advance, as well as enhance logistic efficiency to ensure swift replenishment on shelves. There was no need for stockpiling, representatives of the trade said.
The infant formula agents indicated that the Japanese infant formula currently available in the market were manufactured before the nuclear incident. There were indeed uncertainties as to the quantity of supply in the near future, since the Japanese manufacturers had advised the local trade that the exports to Hong Kong might be reduced in order to meet domestic need. Nonetheless, the trade will step up liaison with manufacturers in Japan, with a view to minimising the impact on Hong Kong.
As regards infant formula from other countries, all trade representatives gave the assurance that supply was abundant. They said they were ready to provide guidance to parents who wish to consider switching from Japanese infant formula to other brands. The major brands had already set up hotlines or direct purchase and delivery services. The trade representatives said they recognised their prime responsibility of meeting the demand of local babies. Parents were welcome to approach them as necessary.
Separately, since most grocery items come from the Mainland, the supply will continue to be adequate. The panic buying of salt a few days ago was only an isolated incident, which subsided quickly with the trades' speedy replenishment of stock and the Administration's clarification that table salt will not prevent radiation.
The Government is committed to ensuring the adequacy and stability of the food supply. The Administration will continue to keep a close watch on the market and supply and maintain close liaison with the trade in order to adopt specific measures.
The trade representatives attending today's meeting were as follows -
A.S. Watson Group
Abbott
Bonjour
China Agri-Industries
China Resources Vanguard
City'Super
Cow & Gate
Dah Chong Hong
Dairy Farm Group
Great Asia Japanese Food
Hong Kong & Kowloon Provisions, Wine & Spirit Dealer's Association
Hong Kong General Chamber of Pharmacy
Jusco
Kerryflex
Lam Soon
Mead Johnson
Nestle
Top Weal
Wyeth
Ends/Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Issued at HKT 17:38
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