The Hong Kong government late on Friday said people had no reason to stock up on salt as the SAR has sufficient supplies for a month's consumption – while stressing that salt is "useless" when it comes to fighting the effects of radioactivity.

In a statement, the administration noted news reports showing a surge in the number of people buying salt. It follows a rush by people in mainland cities to buy salt following Japan's move to discharge treated radioactive water into the Pacific Ocean from the wrecked Fukushima nuclear plant on Thursday.

"There is no scientific evidence suggesting that intake of iodine-rich food and iodised salt will prevent the physical harm brought about by radiation," a spokesman for the SAR's Centre for Food Safety said.

Secretary for the Environment Tse Chin-wan underlined the point in an RTHK programme on Saturday, saying: "I urge everyone not to worry. Salt is useless!"

In its statement, the centre emphasised that "excessive intake of iodine and sodium (salt) is harmful, particularly to persons who suffer from hypertension, heart diseases or kidney diseases.

"Therefore, we appeal to members of the public to refrain from purchasing and eating excessive amount of edible salt," the spokesman added.

The government said that Census and Statistics Department data showed that Hong Kong sources most of its salt from the mainland, Malaysia and Australia, with less than one percent coming from Japan. Supplies would therefore not be affected by an import ban on aquatic goods from ten parts of Japan.

Staff from the Centre for Food Safety had made checks with retailers and noted that supplies of salt remained steady. The fact some shelves were empty was put down to operational reasons rather than a lack of stock.

"The HKSAR Government appeals to members of the public to remain calm and rational and be cautious to fake news," the statement concluded.
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Last updated: 2023-08-26 HKT 12:02