Hong Kong Chief Executive Donald Tsang called on the food trade to work with the government in promoting food safety while visiting Mong Kok District Environmental Hygiene Office on Wednesday.

Tsang said various measures for ensuring food safety had been taken and that the introduction of the new 9 million-HK dollar (US$1.16 million) Licensing Management Information System would enhance efficiency.

Recent food safety scares have exclusively involved imports from the mainland, including ongoing concern over the detection of the illegal carcinogen malachite green in freshwater fish products.

Tsang met with frontline staff to gain a better understanding of their work.

Noting difficulties sometimes faced by law enforcement officers, he encouraged them to continue their duties professionally and provide the best service to the community.

"Without the commitment and support of frontline staff it would not be possible for the government to achieve people-based governance," he said.

(Xinhua News Agency September 1, 2005)