Background
The Center for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department has been conducting various risk assessments on different food hazards (such as pesticides, metal contaminants, food additives, etc.) for the people of Hong Kong. The CFS is currently conducting a study titled the "Food Consumption Survey in Primary and Secondary Schools 2021" (Survey) to collect students' dietary data for accurate and reliable food safety risk assessments for the younger population. These data are essential for the Government to formulate and improve food safety public policies and education strategies in Hong Kong.
Aim
This research aims to collect the food consumption data of primary and secondary school students in Hong Kong, such as the type and amount of food the students consumed.
Target population
The target population of the Survey are students attending primary and secondary schools in Hong Kong. Approximately 50 schools in Hong Kong (including 25 primary schools and 25 secondary schools) will be sampled. Students in each school will be selected through an anonymous and scientific sampling procedure.
The selected students will receive a notice from their school with an invitation letter from the CFS explaining the arrangements for the Survey. Participation in the Survey is entirely voluntary. Students can withdraw at any time.
What information will be collected?
This Survey will collect student's demographic data (i.e. age, gender, height and weight) and food consumption data (i.e. the types and amounts of food consumed) through two interviews. The interviews will be conducted in the form of video conferences or face-to-face meetings. Students can maintain their usual diet and do not need to prepare anything for the interview.
Privacy and confidentiality
All information collected in this Survey will be kept strictly confidential and will only be used for research purposes. The CFS will not disclose any information to third parties. All data collected will be destroyed after the Survey is completed.
The research data will be processed as a whole. They will only be published in terms of the overall food consumption pattern of the students interviewed. No personal data from individuals will be disclosed.
Who will conduct the interviews?
The trained staff at the CFS will be responsible for conducting the interviews. All interviewers will show their Interviewer ID cards during the interviews.
If you need to verify the identity of interviewers, or have any enquiries about the Survey, please call the Research Team of “Food Consumption Survey in Primary and Secondary Schools 2021” at 3962-2017 (Monday to Sunday, 9 am to 9 pm, or email food_intake_survey@fehd.gov.hk).