There have been rumours on social media that some of the food sold in the market may be contaminated by tear gas or other substances. In view of concerns, the Centre for Food Safety of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department has issued today (November 19) the "Advice to the Public on Contaminants and Food Safety" (www.cfs.gov.hk/english/whatsnew/whatsnew_fstr/files/Advice_on_tear_gas_for%20public_e.pdf), including the following:
 

• Food should be properly stored in a suitable place such as a clean and covered food-grade container to reduce the risk of food contamination.
• In an indoor environment when tear gas is being released nearby, close all doors and windows, turn off the air conditioner, and seal the gaps over the doors and windows with wet towels to reduce the chance of contamination indoors.
• After any such incident, check whether the packaging of food is intact and whether any food is damaged or contaminated. For the sake of prudence, food suspected to be contaminated or showing abnormality should not be consumed.

Ends/Tuesday, November 19, 2019
Issued at HKT 21:18

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