Quality Seawater Assurance Scheme Minimizes the Risk of Seafood Contamination

To enhance the quality of seawater used for keeping live seafood, the Health, Welfare and Food Bureau (HWFB) of the HKSAR Government today (19 January 2006) launched the Quality Seawater Assurance Scheme (QSAS) for seawater suppliers and seafood traders in Hong Kong. The Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) has been appointed as the accrediting body of the Scheme.

Under the QSAS, a scheme to encourage self-regulation of the seafood trade, business operators can apply for two types of accreditation status - the Accredited Quality Seawater Supplier and the Quality Seawater Logo Holder.

Speaking at the launch ceremony, Mr Vincent Liu, Principal Assistant Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food (Food and Environmental Hygiene) said, "The QSAS is the Government's another initiative to improve the quality of seawater used for keeping live seafood. Our prime objective is to enhance the quality of fish tank water at source and throughout the entire supply chain of seawater so as to minimize the risk of contamination of seafood."

"For seafood traders such as seafood restaurants, wholesalers and retailers, the QSAS can also assist them to have better control of the quality of fish tank water for compliance with legal standards. In addition, with the implementation of the Scheme, the public will be better informed of the quality of the fish tank water of seafood restaurants and sales outlets," he said.

According to Dr Stephen Lee, Director (Product Productivity) of HKPC, the accrediting body of the Scheme, the initiative is in line with the Council's services in promoting the adoption of environmental practices and regulatory compliance among local enterprises. He said, "HKPC has long been the partner of local business in environmental management. With our experience and expertise in environmental audit, assessment and testing, as well as support from the industry, I have no doubt that both the trade and the community will benefit from the QSAS."

Introducing details of the QSAS, Mr Kenny Wong, Senior Consultant (Environmental Management) of HKPC, said, "Seawater suppliers who abstract, treat or deliver seawater or seafood can apply for the Accredited Quality Seawater Supplier status, while seafood restaurants and retail outlets complying with the assessment criteria can apply to become a Quality Seawater Logo Holder."

"Following the on-site audit, document and record evaluation by HKPC, those eligible to become Accredited Quality Seawater Suppliers will be issued an Accreditation Certificate. Successful applicants of Quality Seawater Logo Holders can display the Logo in their premises as proof of quality assurance," he said.

Valid for one year, both the Accreditation Certificate and the Quality Seawater Logo Holder accreditation status can be renewed annually subject to compliance with the accreditation criteria.

Joining the launch today were the first batch of applicants from major catering groups and supermarket chains, as well as representatives from related trade associations and organizations, including the China Resources Vanguard (Hong Kong) Co Ltd, Fish Marketing Organization, Kuen Kee Aquariums Engineering Development Ltd, PARKnSHOP, Tao Heung Holding Ltd, The Ocean Engineering Co, Seafood Delight Restaurant, Wellcome, Association of Restaurant Managers, Chinese Cuisine Management Association, Hong Kong Chamber of Seafood Merchants Ltd, Hong Kong Federation of Restaurants & Related Trades, and The Association for Hong Kong Catering Services Management Ltd.

For further information on the Quality Seawater Assurance Scheme, please contact HKPC's Mr Kenny Wong at tel. (852) 2788 5647, or e-mail: kenny@hkpc.org.

For media enquiries, please contact:
Ms Betty Lee
General Manager
Corporate Communications and Events
Tel: (852) 2788 5895
Fax: (852) 2788 5056
Email: justina@hkpc.org

HKPC
19 January 2006