Activities Summary 2012

I would like to summarize all quality related activities I participated in 2012 as follows:

Seminar x36; Training x2 , Visit x6 and Conference/Symposium x12; Arrange visit to HKSTP x3, Invited Speaking x4 and Professional Gathering x11, as well as, ASQ Influential Voice article x12

Seminar:

(YYYYMMDD)
20120106: Seminar on "Time-Management Strategy - How to Make Managers More Productive and Happier" (Executive Study Group of CUHK & HKSTP)

20120214: Seminar on "Supplement VIII to CEPA for Testing and Certification Industry" (HKCTC, HKAS & TID)

20120216: HKQAA Service Gauge Seminar (「企業上下同心．共創優質服務」研討會) (Hong Kong Quality Assurance Agency)
20120218: Technical Seminar on the Standard for Aerospace Quality Management System (AS 9100) (IET Hong Kong & HKPC)
20120218: Seminar on "QFD and Service Quality" (HKQFDA & AEC)
20120224: Seminar on "Safety Management and Risk Assessment in Railway Operations" (HKSQ, ASQ & SEEM Dept., CityU)
20120301: Amazon Web Services (AWS) 101 Cloud Computing Seminar (Amazon HK)
20120302: Seminar on "How to Maintain Profitability by Avoiding Profit-Shifting" (Executive Study Group of CUHK & HKSTP)
20120324: Technical Seminar on Product Testing and Certification (SEEM Dept., CityU & MIES of IET Hong Kong)
20120413: Seminar on "Low Carbon Trends in Hong Kong Construction Industry" (SGS-HK & HKSTP)
20120421: Career Prospectus in Food Related Business & Industry (HKFSTA) (Remark: Minda was invited to be one of speaker)
20120505: Technical Seminar on Caliper Checker and Flow Calibration (IEEE-PSES & EE Dept., CityU)
20120519: HKQAA Seminar on "The next version of ISO 9001 - What to expect" (HKQAA)
20120520: World Metrology Day 2012 Seminar (HKCTC, SCL, ITC & HKAS)
20120608: Seminar on "How to Reduce Supply Chain Costs and Risks to Boost Profits" (Executive Study Group of CUHK & HKSTP)
20120609: World Accreditation Day 2012 Seminar (IAF & ILAC)
20120618: Seminar on The Emerging Trend of Accreditation and Certification (HKAS & HKCTC)
20120710: Seminar on Authentication of Chinese Medicines (HKAS & HKCTC)
20120713: Seminar on "How to Build Collaborative Teams to Unleash Hidden Power" (Executive Study Group of CUHK & HKSTP)
20120724: The SME seminar on "Rules for Quality Management: How to Motivate Your Team to Pursue Excellence" (Support and Consultation Centre for SMEs (SUCCESS), TID, HKSAR)
20120810: HKQAA Seminar on "Laterest Developments in Energy Efficiency Enhancement" (HKQAA)
20120817: Seminar on "The 6 Leadership Styles to Win at Different Challenging Times" (Executive Study Group of CUHK & HKSTP)
20120831: Seminar on Power Electronic Packaging and 3D Sensing SiP (ASTRI)
20120901: Technical Seminar on Precision Manufacturing of Critical Components and Advanced Products (MIES-IET Hong Kong & MILES, PolyU)
20121221: Seminar on Chinese Medicines (DoH, HA & HKCTC)
20120924: Seminar on "Motivational Strategy – The 10 Ways to Encourage Your Teams to Pursue Your Goals" (Executive Study Group of CUHK & HKSTP)
20121016: HP and Microsoft Professional Luncheon (HP & Microsoft Hong Kong)
20121016: HKQAA Seminar on ISO 22301 Business Continuity Management System (HKQAA)
20121022: Seminar on "Testing for Toy Safety: EU's Latest Requirements" (HKCTC, HKAS & HKTC)
20121103: OUHK Testing and Certification Day "Seminar on Testing and Certification as a Profession" (OUHK)
20121105: CQI Seminar on "Life after Quality" (CQI-HK)
20121109: Technical Seminar on Surface Roughness Measurement (IMC-HK)
20121109: Seminar on Quality Excellence Model - MBNQA & EFQM (HKSQ)
20121116: Seminar on Improving Customer Satisfaction with better Supply Chain Management (HKSQ, BSI & PolyU)
20121129: Hong Kong IT Security Summit 2012 (ASTRI, Velosti Technology Limited & CityU)
20121204: Seminar on Food Testing and Certification (HKCTC, HKAS & HKPC)

Training:
20120109-13: Analytical Quality Training Programme (LGC & HKAS)
20120709: ISO 50001 Energy Management System (EnMS) Awareness Training (SGS & HKSTP)

Visit:
20120225: HKSQ Company Based Student Project Competition site visit to Vital-Health Livestock Development Limited (HKSQ)
20120313: Visit to Food Safety and Technology Research Centre (FSTRC) (ABCT Dept., PolyU)
20120420: Technical Visit to Philips Consumer Lifestyle Zhuhai (HKSQ)
20120523: Visit to Chung Yuan Christian University (HKSQ)
20120524: Visit to Hsinchu Science Park (新竹科學園區) and TSMC (台積電) (HKSQ)
20121123: Technical Visit to Tung Chung Cable Car Terminal (HKSQ)

Conference & Symposium:
20120114: Hong Kong QFD Symposium 2012 (HKQFDA)
20120117: Symposium on Food Identification and Authentication (HKCTC & HKAS)
20120310: Symposium on One Year after the Fukushima Nuclear Accident (HKNS & MBE Dept., CityU)
20120525: The first meeting for the Chinese Quality Forum (華人品質論壇) (HKSQ)
20120731-0803: ANQ Congress 2012 (ANQ, CAQ, HKSQ & HKUST)
20120817: Conference on 3D-IC: Market, Technology & Applications (HKSTPC & ASTRI)
20120909: HKIE Forum for 2012 Legco IT Functional Constituency (FC) Election Candidates (HKIE-ITD)
20120901: The Angel Investment Forum (天使投資－伯樂如何尋找千里馬？) (HKSTP, HKBAN & HKEJ)
20121115: Hong Kong Venture Capital / Angel Investment Conference (HKSTP)
20121124: Multimedia Technology Forum 2012 (IVE & IET-HK)
20121201: HKQAA Symposium 2012 (HKQAA)
20121206: World Business Capability Congress & Dinner 2012 (COER, NZBEF & NZOQ)

Visit to HKSTP:
20120623: Technical Visit During PAC Plenary Meeting at HKSTP (HKAS & HKSTP)
20120813: Visit to HKSTP and Lunch with Principal & Professors from The University of The West Indies (HKSQ)
20120918: ILAC representative visit to HKSTPC Laboratories (HKAS & HKSTP)

Invited Speaking:
20120402: CityU Guest Lecture for Quality Management in Science Park Laboratory (SEEM Dept., CityU)
20120425-27: International Forum on Quality - TQM Uz-2012 (International Association of Quality Managers and Auditors (IAQMA)) (Remark: I was one of keynote speakers)
20120510: Greeting message from Hong Kong Society for Quality (HKSQ) to the 12th Croatian Conference on Quality
20121114: ITC visit to Accredited Laboratories of the HKSTP (ITC)

Professional Gathering:
20120305: Analogue Holdings Ltd. 35th Anniversary Dinner (ATAL)
20120323: Dinner with China Association for Quality Representative (HKSQ & CAQ)
20120330: CityU Eminence Society AGM and Annual Dinner (CityU Eminence Society)
20120413: HKSQ Lunch with Professors from Manchester Business School, UK & Fuzhou University, PRC (HKSQ & SEEM Dept., CityU)
20120510: ISSC Six Sigma Networking Night 2012 (International Six Sigma Council-ISSC)
20120515: HKIE Electronics Division Annual Dinner 2012 (HKIE)
20120817: The 23rd HKSQ Annual General Meeting (HKSQ)
20120914: 2012 Local Healthy Agricultural Food Dinner 本地健康農產品養生宴 (HKFSTA & Vital-Health Livestock Development Limited)
20121019: CUBIC Life Science Group Tea Gathering (BCH Dept., CityU)
20121124: CityU EngD(EM) Graduation Dinner 2012 (SEEM Dept., CityU)
20121222: Leung Ko Yuk Tak Lecture Theatre Naming Ceremony (CityU)

Leung Ko Yuk Tak Lecture Theatre Naming Ceremony (CityUHK)

In order to thank for the significant contribution of Dr Raymond Leung Siu-hong, Vice-Chairman of the CityU Eminence Society, to the University, CityU alma mater organised a naming ceremony on 22nd December 2012. I was honour to be invited to join the Ceremony to support Dr Leung (My EngD cohort 2005) and the University. I summarized the ceremony for sharing below.

Before the ceremony, we took a photo for memory.

There were many guests attended the Leung Ko Yuk Tak Lecture Theatre Naming Ceremony included Mr. Cho Yan Chiu (曹仁超) (Left 2nd person).

Professor Way Kuo (President of CityU) gave an opening speech and introduced the different dimension contributions from Dr. Raymond Leung to City University of Hong Kong.
Prof. Kuo said "Dr Raymond Leung is Chairman of SAE Magnetics (HK) Ltd and Chairman and CEO of TDK China Co Ltd. An outstanding industrialist, he made a name for himself in the local electronics manufacturing sector in the early 1980s. Over the past 10 years, he has offered students at the College of Science and Engineering training positions and he has helped fund scholarship programmes and research projects at the University. CityU's Lecture Theatre 9 was named after SAE Magnetics in April 2005 in appreciation of its support, and Dr Leung’s contributions to industry and education have earned him many awards. He was a Distinguished Fellow by CityU."

Dr. Raymond Leung introduced himself that he was born into a working-class family and , despite material hardships, was able to complete his university education by working hard from a very young age. Apart from his own efforts, the support he received from his brother and sister had played an important part in his education and personal development. Moreover, he established a scholarship in order to appreciate his mother and mother-in-law.

After the speech, Mrs. Leung, Dr. Leung and Prof. Kuo started the ceremony.

Then some Chinese Traditional performances were prepared by CityU students.

The group photo for Pang Miu Ping & Yeung Lan Award Scheme with the awardees were taken.

Mrs. Leung and Dr. Leung took a photo with performers.

After the ceremony, the Lecture Theatre (LT14) named "Leung Ko Yuk Tak".

The speech detail of Dr. Leung was shown in the following article.

At the end, all CityU Eminence Society members and friends took a group photo for memory.

Reference:

CityU Eminence Society - www.cityues.org 

CityU Lecture Theater (LT10) was named as Peter Ho (Dr. Peter Ho Ka-nam is EngD cohort 2006) - http://www6.cityu.edu.hk/puo/CityUMember/Story/Story.aspx?id=20071128115100

ASQ InfVoices – What’s Your Case for Salary Raise?

The December Topic of ASQ Influential Voice raised by Paul Borawski (CEO, ASQ) that "2012 Salary Survey – What’s Your Case for a Rasie?" Moreover, Paul wondered what you’d tell your boss you did in the last year to increase your value to the organization such as customers more satisfied, revenue enhanced, money saved, waste reduced, lives saved, or risks managed. If today is the end of the world (21 Dec 2012), it is nothing to be considered. But the day after the end of the world, we still face how to tell your boss or customer your value.

(Photo taken during TQM Uz 2012 Forum in Uzbekistan: Currency between Uzbekistan and US)

In my experience, education (e.g. BSc, MSc, PhD) and certificates (e.g. CQE, CQA, CMQ/OE) are foundation of career. It is only affected your salary in the beginning of your career. After that I would like to suggest using personal Balance Score Card (BSC) to raise your value in the following sequence.

1. Internal Process Perspectives - Core Competence
Education and certificates could reflect personal competence. However, your working track records are more important such as implementation of ISO 9001, ISO 14001, TQM, 6 Sigma, etc.

2. Learning and Growth Perspectives - Your Attitudes
Apart from your foundation education, you need to grow according to your career development. Therefore, continuous learning and implementing new knowledge into your work is inevitable.

3. Customer Perspectives - Customer Satisfaction and Market Share
You need to consider your customer / your boss satisfactory (See Reference 1). Market share could be considered as your personal brand in your field.

4. Financial Perspectives - Shareholder Value
After considered the above 3 perspectives, you have competence, work experience and brand to create shareholder value. Financial Perspectives are the result for your measurement.

Several year ago, a book called “Double your salary twice within 5 year” for fresh-graduate. I expended ten year to achieve it. Mr. Chow said the only way to achieve this goal is Promotion. It seems more and more difficult today. My experience is the first two perspectives (Internal Process & Learning and Growth) of personal BSC could help you to double your salary in the first time. After that the remaining two perspectives could help you for the second time but it depends on your preparation and chance.

Reference:
1. Leadership Strategy - How to Reduce Conflict and Stress by Managing Your Boss - http://qualityalchemist.blogspot.hk/2012/12/leadership-strategy-how-to-reduce.html
2. CHOW Yung, Robert (周融, 2006)《5年薪金加4倍》(Double your salary twice within 5 year) - http://chowyung.com/出版著作/

Leadership Strategy - How to Reduce Conflict and Stress by Managing Your Boss

The December topic named “Leadership Strategy – How to Reduce Conflict and Stress by Managing Your Boss” was held on 7 Dec 2012. The Executive Study Group seminar was organized by Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) and the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corp (HKSTPC). Since I was not available to attend the seminar, I only summarized the seminar notes for sharing.

Dr. Mark Lee's talk separated into seven parts included “Traditional Top-down Emphasis in Most Organization”, “Misreading the Boos-Subordinate Relationship”, “1. Continuous Learning about the Boss”, “2. Assessing Yourself”, “3. Aligning Mutual Dependence” and “A Key Success Factor for All”, as well as, “Group Discussion” at the end.

Dr. Lee quoted Prof. John P. Kotter (Harvard Business School) statement that "Because of the traditional top-down emphasis in most organizations, it is not obvious why you need to manage relationships upward - unless, of course, you would do so for personal or political reasons." and "Too much has been written about managing up in a self-centered, get-mine way. This may have worked in a slow-moving world of oligopolies, where internal politics can dominate and the enterprise can still win. But not today."

Misreading the Boss-Subordinate Relationship
Prof. John P. Kotter (Harvard Business School) said "Bosses, like everyone else, are imperfect and fallible. They don't have unlimited time, encyclopedic knowledge, or extrasensory perception; nor are they evil enemies."

Two misconception are shown below:
1. Boss should be capable and independent.
2. I should not waste my boss time.

The following diagram showed the strategies for managing your boss.

1. Continuous Learning about the Boss

What are your boss's organziational and personal objectives?
What are your boss's long suits and blind spots?
What is the preferred style of working?
Prof. John P. Kotter (Harvard Business School) said "At a minimum, you need to appreciate your boss's goals and pressures. Without this information, you are flying blind, and problems are inevitable."

2. Assessing Yourself

Know your own needs, strengths and weakness, and personal style
Ms. Deborah Singer Dobson (Coauthor of Managing Up) said "Managing the boss is a constant, like being in a good marriage. You don't go around saying you've done enough modifying your behavior for your spouse. We're all in the business of modifying our behavior on a daily basis in relationships that are important of us."

3. Aligning Mutual Dependence
Peter Drucker (Father of Management) divided bosses into "Listeners" and "Readers".
Reader-Style: 
Some bosses like to get information in report form, so they can read and study it. If your boss is a reader, you cover important items or proposals in a memo or report, then discuss them.
Listener-Style:
Others work better with information presented in person, so they can ask questions. If your boss is a listener, you brief him or her in person, then follow it up with a memo.

Dr. Lee quoted Prof. John P. Kotter (Harvard Business School) statement as key success factor that "Manipulative boss management plays no part. Zero. You do sometimes need to help the boss develop a sense of urgency, to craft a vision, to communicate the vision, and more. But the word is help, not manipulate for your own selfish needs.

Reference:
The Centre for Logistics Technologies and Supply Chain Optimization, CUHK: http://www.logitsco.cuhk.edu.hk/
HKSTP - www.hkstp.org

World Business Capability Congress & Dinner 2012

The World Business Capability Congress was co-organized by Centre for Organisational Excellence Research (COER), New Zealand Business Excellence Foundation (NZBEF) and New Zealand Organization for Quality (NZOQ) on 5th – 7th Dec 2012. “Driving Excellence> Innovation> Productivity> Export Growth” are the key themes of the conference, recognizing the need for New Zealand businesses to up their game and have more organizations reaching a world-class standard.

Dr. KS Chin (Former Chairman, HKSQ; & Asso. Professor, SEEM Dept., of CityUHK) and his PhD student (Mr. Michael Xu) joined the congress. Ms. Minda Chiang (Hon. Secretary, HKSQ) and I (Former Chairman, HKSQ) represented Hong Kong Society for Quality (HKSQ) to attend the Congress Award Dinner on 6 Dec 2012.  

Dr. KS Chin and I took a photo in the University of Auckland.

The congress venue was Owen G Glenn Building (University Building 260), University of Auckland’s Business School. I took a photo in the Business School.

Enter the venue, some exhibitions were shown. I took a photo in the booth of New Zealand Organization for Quality (NZOQ).

The first session I attended was T1 session (Business Excellence). The speaker was Dr. Alan Brown (Edith Cowan University, Australia) and his presentation title was “Meeting the challenges in sustaining business excellence”. He proposed some solution included strategy development with cross-section of participants, Plans on a page (POP) and work plans, etc.

It was pity that we did not met Prof. Azat Abdrakhmanov (Chairman, IAQMA) for his presentation entitled “EFQM Excellence Model within a Medical Organization: to Leadership through Competitiveness”.

Then we joined PhD Student Presentations. The first speaker was Mr. Mehran Nejati (Universiti Sains Malaysia) and his topic named “The Effect of Stakeholders’ Influence on Responsible Practices towards Employees and Its Positive Impacts on Performance of Small Firms: Insights from Malaysia”.

The frame work of CSR was introduced.

The next student named Ms. Pramila Gamage (Massey University, New Zealand) and her presentation was “Integration of Design of Experiments within a Strong Lean Manufacturing Environment”.

Her research aimed to determine the extent to which Taguchi methods can be integrated within a strong lean manufacturing environment. Lean philosophical perspective included Value, VSM, Flow, Pull and Perfection and Lean Tools included JIT, Kaizen, Kanban, 5S, Jidoka and Heijunka.
My idea was that the hypothesis of the research should be positive because Taguchi methods was optimized the factor analysis for product design experience that reduced the number of experience.

The next speaker was Mr. Hans Doevendans (Massey University) and his topic was “How lean is the New Zealand pip fruit Industry”.

Mr. Hans Doevendans introduced the NZ pip fruit industry which was about 100 years old where apples covered 98.5% and Pears were 1.44%. Hans used action research to obtain the expected outcomes.

The last speaker was Mr. Michael Xu (City University of Hong Kong) and his presentation entitled “A two-stage scheduling approach for nurses in Emergency Department”.

In the beginning, Mr. Michael Xu introduced the Hong Kong’s healthcare expenditure was low compared with other countries in terms of GDP. Then he briefed the nurse scheduling problem in Emergency Department (ED). The research aimed to save the time and manpower dedicated to manual scheduling and to maximize nurse satisfaction by considering their working preferences on shifts and holidays.

There were identified four quality factors which were Completeness, Optimality, Proportionality and Healthiness.  After the presentation, I suggested to add Fuzzy Logic for the scheduling program.

After the presentation, I took a photo with Michael outside the class room.

The Award Dinner was held in EDEN PARK.

I took a photo inside the park.

We joined the pre-dinner drink and took photos with other guests.
(Left: I, Mr. Malcolm Bilington (IMCNZ – Institute of Management Consultants New Zealand Inc.) and Mr. Pete Boyle (Chief Executive, AJPark Intellectual Property).

Photo with Mr. Anthony Stephenson (President, NZOQ) (Right 2)

Photo with Singapore representatives (Left: Mr. Freddy Soon (Special Advisor, CEO Office, Hyflux Ltd.) and Mr. Phang Tsang Wing (Assistant Director, Organisation Excellence Unit, Subordinate Courts, Singapore))

I took a photo with Mr. Michael E Voss (Owner, PYXIS). We met in ANQ in Japan before. Mr. Voss with his wife (Allie Voss) and his daughter joined the congress dinner.

The Congress Award Dinner started and many participants joined.

Mr. Anthony Stephenson (President, NZOQ) gave welcome speech and presented NZOQ Lifetime Achievement Awards to Roger Atkinson and Kelly Mara.

After that I represented HKSQ to present souvenir to Mr. Anthony Stephenson.

Congress Best Paper Award was introduced by Dr. Nigel Grigg (Asso. Professor, Massey University; Chair of Technical Committee) where the 3rd Prize of NZ$250, 2nd Prize of NZ$500 and 1st Prize of NZ$1000.

After that we had took a photo for memory.

The foods of dinner

The overview of EDEN PARK was taken in the mountain.

We visited Eden Garden in next day morning.

The volcano open was visited and took a photo for memory.

In the top of mountain, a tower was stand here.

Reference:
Asia Network for Quality – www.anforq.org
World Business Capability Congress - http://www.worldbusinesscapabilitycongress.com/
Centre for Organisational Excellence Research (COER) - http://www.coer.org.nz/
New Zealand Business Excellence Foundation (NZBEF) - http://www.nzbef.org.nz/
New Zealand Organization for Quality (NZOQ) - http://www.nzoq.org.nz/

HKCTC Seminar on Food Testing & Certification

The Seminar on Food Testing and Certification was co-organized by the Hong Kong Council for Testing and Certification (HKCTC), Hong Kong Accreditation Service (HKAS) and Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) on 14 December 2012. The seminar would discuss a wide range of topics surrounding food safety from legislation to the benefits of food testing and certification, from testing foodstuff to certification of food safety management system. I would like to summarize the seminar below for sharing.

In the beginning, Mr. Gregory Leung (Convener, Panel on Promoting Testing and Certification Services in Food Trade, HKCTC) gave a welcoming remarks. He said T&C industry was very important to ensured the food safety.

The first speaker was Dr. Samuel Yeung Tze-kiu (Principal Medical Officer, Risk Assessment & Communication Division, Centre For Food Safety, Food and Environmental Hygiene Department) and his presentation topic was "Legislation and Regulations on Food Safety in Hong Kong".

Dr. Yeung briefed the regulatory framework for food in Hong Kong.

Chapter:132 - PUBLIC HEALTH AND MUNICIPAL SERVICES ORDINANCE

Chapter: 612 - FOOD SAFETY ORDINANCE

Regulatory control on food additives included Colouring matter, Sweeteners, Preservatives, Food Adulteration, Harmful Substances, Mineral Oil and Pesticide Residues. Then Dr. Yeung mentioned "1+7" Nutrition Labelling Scheme (1.7.2010) and legal microbiological standards included Frozen Confections Regulation (Cap.132AC) and Milk Regulation (Cap.132AQ).

Lastly, Dr. Yeung concluded that testing and certification (T&C) could ensure their products fulfilled the local legal food safety requirement in Food Trade. Moreover, part of food testing from Government Laboratory had been outsourced to the local industry since 2008. It could relieve the workload of Government Laboratory and provide business opportunity to local T&C Industry.
The second speaker was Mr. Simon Wong (Chairman, Hong Kong Food Council; Member, Panel on Promoting Testing and Certification Service in Food Trade, HKCTC) and his presentation was "How Testing and Certification Help Local Food Suppliers and Manufacturers to Ensure Safety and Quality of Food".

The relationship between testing & certification (T&C) and Food Industry was mentioned. The following reasons explained why we needed T&C.
1. Food safety accident - natural or man-made
2. Public health(e.g. Radiation accident to protect incoming food )
3. Quality assurance to Food Industry
4. Export and Import Food importance (i.e. Credibility of T&C system, surveillance, supply chair management and monitoring and established food safety standard)

The third speaker was Mr. Bryan Peng (General Manager, Hong Kong Quality Assurance Agency) and his presentation title named "Food Safety Certification".

In the beginning, Mr. Bryan Peng explained what reason the Food Safety Certification needed. He quoted the milk contaminated case which was serious impacted on the financial result!

Then Mr. Peng used the formula "Profit (P) = Revenue (R) - Cost (C)" to indicate that P decrease, R decrease and C increase if food safety accident happen. The following diagram showed that "Food and Product Safety" was ranked number 2 in the mind of consumer.

After that Mr. Peng introduced the structure of Food Safety Management System that service provided by HKQAA included Hygiene Control System (HCS), Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) and ISO 22000:2005 Food Safety Management Systems. He said the more practical and easier for beginner was HCS which had six key elements included Management Commitment, Hygiene Operation, Environmental Hygiene, Food Handling, Personal Hygiene, System Monitoring, Control and Certification.

Ms. Kammy Yeung (Sales and Marketing Manager, Hong Kong Standards and Testing Centre) was the fourth speaker and his topic entitled "Food Safety Testing".

Ms. Yeung introduced different food testing included Nutritional Analysis, Food quality and safety. She said food preservatives mainly used for controlling the growth of bacteria and mold that extending the food shelf life but not good for human health if excess. The following diagram showed some commonly used food preservatives included Benzoic acid content, Methyl para-hydroxybenzoate, Ethyl para-hydroxybenzoate, Propyl para-hydroxybenzoate, Nitrate & Nitrite content, Propionic acid, Sorbic acid content and Sulphur dioxide content.

Then she also introduced some not permitted preservatives included Formaldehyde content, Boric acid content, Hydrogen peroxide, Formaldehyd Sodium Sulfoxylate and Salicylic acid. Others were briefed included Antioxidant, Artifical Colouring Matter, Artificial Sweetener, Toxic Contaminants, Heavy Metals (Sb, As, Cd, Cr, Pb, Hg & Sn), Pesticides, Pathogens, etc.

The first Q&A session
I asked how to benefit SME for food testing and certification in terms of cost. Mr. Simon Wong replied it was heavy burden for SME and he suggested if government could support and take initiative such as supporting fund for food safety testing.

After tea break, Dr. Terence Lau (Chief Operating Officer, Hai Kang Life Corporation Limited HK; Member, Panel on Promoting Testing and Certification Services in Food Trade, HKCTC) was the fifth speaker and he presented the topic "An Overview on Molecular Food Testing: Its Principle and Application".

In the beginning, Dr. Lau explained what is molecular testing (Nucleic acid/ DNA testing). Then he introduced Molecular Nucleic Acid Testing (NAT) technology to us included Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), NASBA/LAMP, DNA Sequencing and biosensors, etc.

The comparison between traditional culture testing and NAT testing was summarized in the following table. NAT using PCR was much faster than culture method.

At the end, Dr. Lau discussed about genetically modified organism (GMO) / Food and its testing. GMO/Food had three concerns included Health, Trade and Environment.

The sixth speaker was Mr. Jack Lo Tim-lun (Senior Manager, Castco Testing Centre) and his presentation named "Testing for Food Composition and Nutrition Labelling".

Mr. Jack Lo introduced Nutrition Label with 1+7 test that 1 (energy) + 7 (protein, carbohydrate, total fat, sat. fatty acids, trans fatty acids, Na and sugars). The following slide was two methods for the analysis of Energy.

After mentioned different testing methods, Mr. Jack Lo concluded that the testing was very economic for food industry.

The last speaker was Dr. John Ho (Senior Accreditation Officer, HKAS) and his topic named "Accreditation Services for Food Testing and Certification".

Dr. John Ho introduced the history of HKAS and its three schemes included HOKLAS, HKCAS and HKIAS. He stated the HOKLAS endorsed report was recognized by different countries through MRA and MLA.

The second Q&A session
One question asked how DNA testing to separate living and dead organism. Dr. Terence Lau said only living organism was detected RNA but both living and dead organism were detected DNA. Moreover, Dr. Lau said DNA testing could also perform quantitative analysis.

Reference:
HKCTC - http://www.hkctc.gov.hk/en/about.html
HKAS - http://www.itc.gov.hk/en/quality/hkas/about.htm