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The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) has done its preparatory work on food safety and mosquito control for the 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Equestrian Events.
Speaking at a press conference today (August 1), the Controller of the Centre for Food Safety of the FEHD, Dr Constance Chan, said the department was committed to meeting the target of ˇ§zero incident in food poisoningˇ¨ set by the Beijing Organising Committee for the Games of XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG).
"To cope with the hot and humid summer in Hong Kong, we have formulated a specific strategy to ensure food safety during the Equestrian Events,ˇ¨ Dr Chan said.
ˇ§The FEHD has established a Food Safety Advisory Team to work closely with the designated caterer for event venues and hotels for athletes and guests to assist them in developing safe menus and implementing an effective food safety management system.
ˇ§The team also provides professional advice and training for the catering staff on food safety and conducts regular site inspections and auditing.ˇ¨
The department had also stepped up inspections of the food premises at event venues and tourist areas and enhanced food surveillance by conducting a targeted programme, Dr Chan said.
Some 1,500 food samples were taken between January and July from relevant caterers, hotels, suppliers and food premises in the vicinity of event venues and tourist areas for microbiological and chemical tests. All test results were satisfactory.
Seminars and workshops were also organised during the past months for catering managers and food handlers to remind them of the key steps, including hygiene practices and proper temperature for storage, in maintaining food safety.
ˇ§During the events, the FEHD will deploy staff to supervise at the event venues and hotels to monitor the storage, preparation and delivery of food,ˇ¨ Dr Chan said.
The FEHD will continue to closely monitor local and overseas food incidents and maintain close liaison with relevant authorities.
ˇ§We attach great importance to food safety for the successful co-hosting of the Equestrian Events in Hong Kong. Through concerted efforts by the Government, the Equestrian Company, the trade and the public, we are confident that food safety during the events can be ensured,ˇ¨ Dr Chan said.
On mosquito control, the Assistant Director (Operations) of the FEHD, Ms Chu Lan-ying, said the department had stepped up anti-mosquito efforts in the event venues in Sha Tin and Beas River and their surrounding areas, as well as in the vicinity of hotels for athletes and guests.
The department deploys a total of 15 roving teams to strengthen inspections and enhance mosquito control measures, including applying larvicides, clearing drains to prevent blockage, filling up defective ground surfaces, removing rubbish and stagnant water, etc.
The FEHD has liaised closely with the Equestrian Company to enhance anti-mosquito measures at the venues, providing mosquito prevention services such as elimination of potential mosquito breeding places and carrying out mosquito control operations.
ˇ§The department will continue to carry out anti-mosquito measures in the equestrian venues and their surrounding areas,ˇ¨ Ms Chu said.
As mosquitoes and insects thrive in a hot and humid environment, Ms Chu advised spectators at the events to wear light-coloured, long-sleeved clothes and trousers and to put on anti-mosquito ointment on exposed parts of the body to avoid being bitten. During event days, mosquito trapping machines will be installed at the competition venues.
Apart from the designated teams, about 470 FEHD health inspectorate and professional staff have assisted in the preparatory work on food safety and mosquito control for the Equestrian Events.
Ends/Friday, August 1, 2008
Issued at HKT 16:14
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