Legislator urges for supervision of online food stores

Legislator Si Ka Lon has filed an interpellation with the government questioning the government’s system for inspecting online shops selling food.
The legislator pointed out in his query that the current food safety law is incapable of ensuring the safety of food from online-operated shops, noting in particular, incomplete information about the origins, as well as the ingredients of online food products. He queried whether the government has plans on its agenda to improve the current law.
In response, the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau (IACM) said it has been operating inspections of restaurants and shop entities that provide online ordering services.
For non-entity shops, a task force has been set up to monitor the operation of shops, by acquiring information about the origins, methods of storage, creation, production and delivery of the food products, according to IACM’s response.
IACM stated that inspections to sample food products of online shops are also regularly undertaken.
During last year’s inspections, 51 samples were acquired and all passed the safety requirements. Sushi, sashimi, oysters and desserts were the major focus of inspections.
A database of online food stores has been created and will be updated continuously, IACM added.
Meanwhile, the bureau revealed it is co-operating with other groups to add specifications for the online consumption section in the “Consumer Rights Protection Law”.