Under Secretary for Food & Health Prof Gabriel Leung has warned the public to beware of the sale of fake iodide tablets after a Sheung Wan shop was found to be selling them.
Prof Leung today told reporters checks have been conducted on 74 pharmacies and 34 shops in the last two days. Thirty bottles of fake iodide tablets were found in the Sheung Wan shop. The tablets are lozenges containing iodine and it is believed the original labels of the bottles were replaced by fake labels stating the chemical was iodide.
Noting iodide tablets must be registered before sale, he said there should be no such products available on the retail market.
Speaking on the radiation checks, Prof Leung said a health desk has been set up at Hong Kong International Airport. Tourists arriving from Japan can ask for help at the desk if they feel unwell. So far, 865 tourists have asked for radiation checks and all have been confirmed safe.
He said the Government will not conduct compulsory radiation checks on tourists from Japan at this stage because the current radiation levels in Tokyo and Hong Kong are normal and there is no sign of an imminent public health risk. But the Government will review the situation frequently.
The Centre for Food Safety has stepped up its radiation surveillance of fresh produce from Japan. By 2pm, 151 batches of food imported into Hong Kong had been tested and no abnormality detected.
Reiterating the Government will ensure a stable and sufficient food supply, he said Hong Kong people do not have to buy large quantities of salt, rice and milk powder. About 9,193 boxes of milk powder were imported into Hong Kong today.
