CFS encourages public to develop healthy eating habit with less salt and sugar (with photos)

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (June 26) launched a series of publicity activities under the theme "Hong Kong's Action on Salt and Sugar Reduction" to raise public awareness of the importance of reducing dietary salt and sugar intake and encourage the public to develop a healthy eating habit with less salt and sugar.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of Food Safety Day 2015 today, the Consultant (Community Medicine) (Risk Assessment and Communication) of the CFS, Dr Ho Yuk-yin, said that excessive dietary salt intake will increase the risk of developing hypertension, stroke and coronary heart disease, while excessive intake of sugar may lead to obesity and increase the risk of dental caries. In 2013, nearly 60 per cent of deaths in Hong Kong were caused by chronic diseases such as cancer, heart diseases, stroke and diabetes. He stressed that in order to effectively reduce the risk of developing these chronic diseases, the public need to develop an eating habit with less salt and sugar.

He said that in addition to striving to safeguard food safety in Hong Kong, the CFS attaches great importance to promoting healthy eating habits among the Hong Kong population. It is hoped that the goal of reducing salt and sugar intake will be achieved through tripartite collaboration among the Government, the public and the food trade.

Representatives from the food trade associations that have signed up to the Food Safety Charter also joined the ceremony today. By signing up to the Charter they committed to following the CFS' guidelines, enhancing food safety by observing the "Five Keys to Food Safety" and using less salt and sugar in food preparation.

The Food Safety Charter, jointly developed by the CFS and the food trade in 2008, has received continuous support from the food trade. So far, 23 food trade associations and over 1 800 food premises have signed the Charter. Also joining the ceremony today to show support for the event were participants of the "Reduce Salt, Sugar, Oil. We Do!" programme recently launched by the CFS.

The final adjudication of the Salt and Sugar Reduction & Nutrition Labelling Video Competition and its award presentation ceremony were held at the same venue today. The competition was organised by the CFS for the first time this year to allow participants to illustrate the methods of reducing dietary salt and sugar in daily life, as well as the application of nutrition labels to reduce salt and sugar intake.

The winners of the Salt and Sugar Reduction & Nutrition Labelling Video Competition are as follows:

Junior Secondary Category
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Champion: A team from SKH All Saints' Middle School
First runner-up: PCTV of Pui Ching Middle School
Second runner-up: A team from TWGHs Mrs Fung Wong Fung Ting College
Most Liked Award: A team from SKH All Saints' Middle School

Senior Secondary Category
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Champion: Hong Kong Sea School Campus TV
First runner-up: Overtone of St Francis' Canossian College
Second runner-up: HTC team of Holy Trinity College
Most Liked Award: Overtone of St Francis' Canossian College

Open Category
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Champion: Vincy Tam
First runner-up: CUHKFAA Thomas Cheung School
Second runner-up: The Red Mouth Three
Most Liked Award: Vincy Tam

A series of food safety publicity initiatives are being launched following the Food Safety Day 2015 opening ceremony. The CFS, joined by various food trade associations, will hold a series of talks on salt and sugar reduction between June and December with a view to promoting a healthy eating habit with less salt and sugar for the general public and the food trade.

Also officiating at today's ceremony were the Curriculum Development Officer (Technology Education) of the Education Bureau, Ms Poon Suk-mei, and the Secretary of the Committee on Home-School Co-operation, Ms Yung Pik-ching.

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department held Food Safety Day 2015 and the Salt and Sugar Reduction & Nutrition Labelling Video Competition award presentation ceremony today (June 26) to encourage the public to develop a healthy eating habit with less salt and sugar. The Consultant (Community Medicine) (Risk Assessment and Communication) of the CFS, Dr Ho Yuk-yin (centre); the Curriculum Development Officer (Technology Education) of the Education Bureau, Ms Poon Suk-mei (right); and the Secretary of the Committee on Home-School Co-operation, Ms Yung Pik-ching (left), officiated at the Food Safety Day 2015 opening ceremony.
The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department held Food Safety Day 2015 and the Salt and Sugar Reduction & Nutrition Labelling Video Competition award presentation ceremony today (June 26) to encourage the public to develop a healthy eating habit with less salt and sugar. The Consultant (Community Medicine) (Risk Assessment and Communication) of the CFS, Dr Ho Yuk-yin (centre); the Curriculum Development Officer (Technology Education) of the Education Bureau, Ms Poon Suk-mei (right); and the Secretary of the Committee on Home-School Co-operation, Ms Yung Pik-ching (left), officiated at the Food Safety Day 2015 opening ceremony.

Group photo of officiating guests of Food Safety Day 2015 and judges and representatives of winning teams of the Salt and Sugar Reduction & Nutrition Labelling Video Competition.
Group photo of officiating guests of Food Safety Day 2015 and judges and representatives of winning teams of the Salt and Sugar Reduction & Nutrition Labelling Video Competition.

Ends/Friday, June 26, 2015