Permanent Secretary for Food & Health (Food) Marion Lai today met with seven major powdered formula suppliers, the Hong Kong General Chamber of Pharmacy, and major chain stores, urging the trade to ensure sufficient supply for local children in the run-up to Christmas and Lunar New Year.
The Food & Health Bureau has noted with concern that there was a tight supply of certain brands of powdered formula recently.
At the meeting, the trade was urged to actively follow up on the recommendations on improving the formula supply chain proposed by the consultancy firm commissioned by the Government.
Suppliers were also asked to get fully prepared in the run-up to Christmas and the Lunar New Year to ensure sufficient supplies.
Suppliers said they have reserved sufficient stock for local children to cope with orders from various pre-ordering channels. They have also strengthened support measures, including delivery on a daily basis when required and boosting manpower manning hotlines so that all calls from customers can be returned within 24 hours.
The Government is also very concerned about recent media reports that a pharmacy has marked up the price of formula substantially. At the meeting, the supplier involved reported that action had been taken against the pharmacy.
Retailers were asked not mark up prices substantially for profiteering, which will affect supply. Suppliers were asked to watch for unscrupulous practices and take action.
The Customs & Excise Department will strengthen enforcement action against parallel trading activities.
