The public concern over malachite green in eels and fresh water fish came first in a list of top 10 consumer news for the outgoing Year of Rooster.
The list was unveiled today (January 26) by the Consumer Council after a total of 35,370 votes was cast by the public in a two-week period.
The event, in its second year, was organized jointly by the Council in association with News Channel of Hong Kong Cable Television, Radio Television Hong Kong and Hong Kong Economic Times, and Fan, Chan and Co. as the Honorary Auditor.
Members of the public were invited to select and vote for the top 10 consumer news, out of a total of 20 items, which in their view were uppermost on the mind of consumers for the Year of Rooster in Hong Kong.
The event this year drew a total of 3,537 voters who cast their votes on line or by fax or mail during the period between 4 January and 18 January 2006. The response was a nearly 60% rise over the preceding Year of Monkey.
The results of the public voting gave a good indication of the issues high on the list of consumer interest and concern, providing valuable reference to the Consumer Council in the course of its work in consumer protection and empowerment.
They are also of value to the media in the coverage of crucial consumer issues, and lessons to be learned by various sectors to improve public perception and confidence of their goods and services.
Results of the Top Ten Consumer News of the Year of Rooster are, in their sequence, as follows:
| Malachite green in eels and fresh water fish | (3,118 votes) |
| Pirated products of flu vaccines | (2,681 votes) |
| Suspension of pork sales in wake of Streptococcus Suis outbreak | (2,654 votes) |
| Massive leak of credit card data in US | (2,648 votes) |
| New bus fares adjustment mechanism | (2,636 votes) |
| Sharp rise in Eastern Tunnel toll | (2,540 votes) |
| Criticism over non-disclosure of brandnames of canned mud carp contaminated with Malachite Green | (2,240 votes) |
| Surcharge imposed on low-balance bank accounts | (1,683 votes) |
| "Genuine goods" shop found to sell imitation | (1,633 votes) |
| Call to regulate egg import from Avian Flu affected areas | (1,549 votes) |
Issued by
Consumer Council
26 January 2006