CFS Finds Sulphur Dioxide in Fresh Beef, Investigates Vendor Compliance

Fresh beef sample found to contain sulphur dioxide

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (November 28) that a fresh beef sample was found to contain sulphur dioxide, a preservative which is not permitted to be used in fresh meat. The CFS is following up on the incident.

A spokesman for the CFS said, "The CFS, under its routine Food Surveillance Programme, took the fresh beef sample from a fresh provision shop (FPS) at Homantin Market in Kowloon City for testing. The test result showed that the sample contained sulphur dioxide at a level of 838 parts per million. The CFS is following up with the FPS concerned about the irregularity."

According to the Preservatives in Food Regulation (Cap. 132BD), it is an offence to add sulphur dioxide to fresh or chilled meat. The maximum penalty is a $50,000 fine and six months' imprisonment.

Sulphur dioxide is a preservative which can be used in a variety of foods including dried vegetables, dried fruits, pickled vegetables and salted fish products, but under the Regulation it is not permitted in fresh or chilled meat. Individual meat traders have been found illegally using sulphur dioxide to make meat look fresher. Sulphur dioxide is water-soluble, and most of it can be removed through washing and cooking. However, susceptible individuals who are allergic to this preservative may experience breathing difficulties, headaches and nausea after consumption.

The spokesman reminded the food trade to comply with the law and not to sell fresh or chilled meat adulterated with sulphur dioxide. Members of the public should purchase meat from reliable market stalls or FPSs. They should avoid buying or consuming meat which is unnaturally red and maintain a balanced diet to avoid malnutrition or excessive exposure to chemicals from a small range of food items.

​The CFS will continue to follow up on the incident and take appropriate action. The investigation is ongoing.

Youth Development Commission convenes 17th meeting

​The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, chaired the 17th meeting of the Youth Development Commission (YDC) today (November 28).

At the meeting, members were briefed by government representatives on initiatives relating to youth development in "The Chief Executive's 2024 Policy Address". Members support the Government's sustained efforts in promoting youth development, and were pleased to note that the Policy Address has introduced a series of measures to expand spaces and network for youths and strengthen the support for young people to develop their potential.

Apart from implementing at full steam the various youth initiatives in the Youth Development Blueprint (Blueprint), the Government is planning to set up different youth facilities to provide more physical spaces for young people, including a "Youth Post" hostel and spaces for culture, arts and sports exchange in the Kai Tak Community Isolation Facility, a physical platform for members of the Youth Link in the Nam Cheong District Community Centre, conversion of part of the Youth Square to establish a new interactive space and a video studio. Moreover, in order to support young people in their search of future direction, the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau will also launch a new round of the Funding Scheme for Youth Life Planning Activities to sponsor non-governmental organisations in providing enhanced support services with more content relating to national affairs.

Mr Chan said, "The new Policy Address demonstrates the Government's unwavering commitment to promoting youth development on a long-term and ongoing basis. The Government will continue to work closely with the YDC and bring together all sectors of society to take forward the various youth development measures stated in the Policy Address and the Blueprint, and create more opportunities for young people to thrive."