No doubt one of the most important activities in everyone’s life is eating, and that we have a well established Food Business Regulation in place to ensure food safety. However, for most of us, we seldom put our minds in it unless we have to. Sadly, this maybe the time to put our thought in this regulation has come.
The situation of catering has received heightened attention since the new contractor taken over. The portion, the quality, the price, the hygiene remains questionable by many students and staff alike. Small portion of food for a off-campus price, together with tasteless and questionable hygiene. For example, a burger cost $52 that comes with no more than one-third pound of beef at no hotter than 50 degree Celsius, a slice of un-melted cheese, two pieces of pickles, mushrooms, few chuck of lettuce, a thin slice of tomato in a Garden Bakery sesame Bun , and unfortunately Fries and Drinks not included. This price is absurd for the quality of food and service that comes with it and I can confidently recommend a restaurant where you can get a higher quality burger lunch with starter, fries and a drink in High Street for $78.
After trying several unsatisfying meals in campus by the new operator, I started to think if there’s any regulatory bodies governing them. Obviously HKU Cedars is in charge of it, and after some exchanges of emails for few months, I find that they are too bureaucratic for everyone’s wellbeing, and on top of them, would be indifferent, even more arrogant bureaucrats. So is there a third-party regulatory bodies? Yes, the Government’s FEHD (Food and Environmental Hygiene Department). However, According to Cap 132X Section 4(2), Schools/University Canteen is exempted from having a license, which means FEHD or Centre of Food Safety can do nothing except if they received report of food contamination which much part of Cap 132 would still hold.
The other problem of HKU Canteens is too crowded, there are too many members of public dining in HKU canteens, making all restaurant completely packed in rush hour. This is where that HKU may violate the Food Business Regulation. Cap 132X Section 4(2) which defines what is food business and what’s not, according to the law definition, Schools’ Canteens are not considered as food business, but it has a condition “for the use exclusively of the pupils of the school and the persons employed in the work place“ which means, licensing is NOT exempted if such canteen is open to public. Unforunately, we can find all sorts of members of the public dining in HKU canteens, Kai Fong from the neighborhood, tourists, alumni etc. In such situation, all HKU canteens shall have their license for serving these members of the public. Regrettably, none of the canteen in HKU has any food related license, and only Fresh and Fresh Canteen in Ricci Hall has a food factory license. It is quite obvious to me, the University has offended the law by continuously allowing members of public to dine in HKU canteens while knowing, understanding and inaction to this situation.
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