YOGAYUGA

It’s now not only limited to dairy products, White Rabbit sweets, Lotte Koala Chocolate biscuits and cheese powder of Pizza Hut are also involved. They all contain melamine, and exceeded the legal limit.

The following list shows all the unqualified dairy products that examined by Hong Kong Food Bureau. Included milk, milk powder, yogurt drinks, coffee and ice-cream. Some are Taiwanese and Japanese brands, but all are made in China. Maybe, more unqualified food and drink products will be listed, and you will see when time goes by…….Some said stop buying and eating stuff made in China, but its’ hard. Almost everything at low cost is made in China now. Part of product contents could be made in China though not the complete products. Foreign countries do import them, and manufacture products with their own brands in China. How can you avoid? Biscuits and cheese powder are also made of milk content, so this issue just happened out of your imagination. I don’t think many would pay serious attention on the food ingredients of the packaging box especially junk food like biscuits. It’s a really challenging issue that Chinese government needs to handle and to face the world with positive response and appropriate quality assurance strategy for future production.

香港检测的 不合格名单
Sample
樣本名稱
Manufacturer’s name & address
製造商名稱及地址

1 . KLIM Instant Full Cream Milk Powder (1.8 kg)
克寧即溶奶粉
( 淨重 : 1.8 千克 )
Manufacturer: Nestle Shuangcheng Ltd.
Address: Friendship Road , Shuangcheng City , Heilongjiang Province, PRC

2. Nestle Carnation Calcium Plus Non Fat Milk Powder (1.6 kg)
三花高鈣脫脂奶粉 ( 淨重 : 1600 克 )
Manufacturer: Nestle Shuangcheng Ltd.
Address: Friendship Road , Shuangcheng City , Heilongjiang Province, PRC

3. Nespray
雀巢兒童奶粉
3 + 歲以上
( 淨重 : 900 克 )
Manufacturer: Nestle Shuangcheng Ltd
Address: Nestle Shuangcheng Ltd., PRC

4. Nestle Dairy Farm Pure Milk
雀巢牛奶公司純牛奶 ( 淨容量 : 1 升 )
Manufacturer: Nestle Qingdao Ltd.
Address: Weihai Xi Lu, Laixi City , Qingdao , P.R. China

5. Mengniu Pure Milk
蒙牛純牛奶
( 淨體積 : 250 毫升 )
製造商：中國內蒙古蒙牛乳業 ( 集團 ) 股份有限公司
地址 : 中國內蒙古呼和浩特市和林格爾盛樂經濟園區

6. Monmilk Breakfast Milk Walnut Milk Beverage
蒙牛早餐奶核桃奶類飲品
( 淨體積 : 250 毫升 )
製造商：中國內蒙古蒙牛乳業 ( 集團 ) 股份有限公司
地址 : 中國內蒙古呼和浩特市和林格爾盛樂經濟園區

7. Monmilk Suan Suan Ru Sour Milk Beverage (Mango Flavour)
蒙牛酸酸乳酸味奶類飲品 ( 芒果味 )
( 淨體積 : 250 毫升 )
製造商：中國內蒙古蒙牛乳業 ( 集團 ) 股份有限公司
地址 : 中國內蒙古呼和浩特市和林格爾盛樂經濟園區

8. Monmilk
Milk Deluxe Pure Milk
蒙牛特侖蘇純牛奶
( 淨體積 : 250 毫升 )
製造商：中國內蒙古蒙牛乳業 ( 集團 ) 股份有限公司
地址 : 中國內蒙古呼和浩特市和林格爾盛樂經濟園區

9. Yili High Calcium Low Fat Milk Beverage
伊利高鈣低脂奶類飲品
( 淨體積 : 250 毫升 )
製造商：內蒙古伊利實業集團股份有限公司
地址 : 中國內蒙古呼和浩特市金川開發區金三道 2 號

10. Dutch Lady Pure Milk
子母純牛奶
( 淨容量 : 1 公升 )
Manufacturer: Tianjian Dutch Lady Dairy Foods Co., Ltd.
Address: South of Dongting Road , Hexi District, Tianjin , PRC

11. Vita Fresh Milk
維他純鮮牛奶
( 淨容量 : 236 毫升 )
製造商：維他奶國際集團有限公司
地址 : 中國廣東省深圳市光明華僑畜牧場

12. Nestle Vanilla Flavour Ice Cream Cone
雀巢雲呢拿味雪糕甜筒 (8 支盒裝 )
Manufacturer: Nestle Tianjin Ltd.
Address: No.149 Nanhai Road , TEDA, Tianjin , PRC

13. Nestle Chocolate Flavour Ice Cream Cone
雀巢朱古力味雪糕甜筒 (8 支盒裝 )
Manufacturer: Nestle Tianjin Ltd.
Address: No.149 Nanhai Road , TEDA, Tianjin , PRC

14. Meiji Ujikintoki (red bean and green tea frozen confection)
明治紅豆綠茶雪條
(6 支盒裝 :6 x 75 克 )
Manufacturer: Guangdong M&F- Yan Tang Dairy Products Co., Ltd
Address: Datanggang Shahe, Guangzhou , China

15. Meiji Hokkaido Azuki (red bean ice cream)
明治北海道紅豆雪糕
(6 支盒裝 :6 x 70 克 )
Manufacturer: Guangdong M&F- Yan Tang Dairy Products Co., Ltd
Address: Datanggang Shahe, Guangzhou , China

16. Trappist Dairy Low Fat Yogurt Drink
十字牌鮮乳酪低脂飲品
( 淨容量 : 200 毫升 )
經銷商：神樂院牛奶廠有限公司
地址 : 香港元朗青山公路二十八咪半

17. Strawberry Sorbet
戀愛果實士多啤梨雪巴 ( 淨重 : 54 克 )
Manufacturer: Xincheng Greenearth Food Co., Ltd
Address: No.62 Xingjianzhai, Huazhou Road , Pudong, Shanghai , China

18. Natural Choice Milk Ice Bar
伊利牧場香濃布丁雪條
( 淨體積 : 85 毫升 )
Manufacturer: Shanghai Yili AB Foods Co., Ltd
Address: No. 269 Beidou Road, Minhang Zone, Shanghai P.R. of China

19. 牛奶木瓜口味飲料 (Papaya Milk Drink) (350ml) — 尚効
製造商：春喬食品興業股份有限公司 ( 地址 : 台灣彰化縣員林鎮鎮興里山腳路 3 段 25 巷 72 號 )

20. 阿薩姆奶茶 (Assam Milk Tea) (350ml) — 尚効
製造商：春喬食品興業股份有限公司 ( 地址 : 台灣彰化縣員林鎮鎮興里山腳路 3 段 25 巷 72 號 )

21. 藍山炭燒咖啡 (Carbonize Coffee) (280ml) — 尚効
製造商：春喬食品興業股份有限公司 ( 地址 : 台灣彰化縣員林鎮鎮興里山腳路 3 段 25 巷 72 號 )

I read a Chinese article regarding with the culture and live habit advice for the western expats who live in China. This article was originally commented and written by an American woman who lives and works in China, but was translated into Chinese on the web site. I translated it in English here. Personally, I think these are not just subject to westerners only, I would say they are subject to everyone.

You have to express “NO” or “DON’T” when you are under any of these situations in Mainland China. I don’t think they all do happen in Hong Kong commonly as Hong Kong is so westernised.

1. Don’t ever accept praise directly that given by others

Eg. If someone said your kids are very clever, usually Chinese would say “Nah! not at all!”. No one would say “Yes, my kids are very clever.” It’s not humble in Chinese eyes. Some people in H.K. would accept the praise directly. It depends on the family and educational background of individual.

2. Never let others lose face in public

Eg. You can never point out mistakes that your Chinese friends make in public. You can tell them what goes wrong in private. It’s the same in Hong Kong though. If you pointed out the mistakes of your Chinese friends made in public, then very likely you would break the friendship.

3. No temper in the public

Eg. Chinese people don’t usually like people having temper in public. If once you are not happy with the waiter/waitress of a restaurant, you just don’t go back. Try not to show your temper, and keep it low. Anyway, I would say this is for everyone. Occasionally, Chinese people do have bad temper in the restaurant by complaining this and that.

4. Never call Chinese people first name as last name

Eg. This is related to the language. Surname always comes in the front for Chinese name. It’s totally different from the position of western surname. Like my Chinese name, Lee Wing Chi, I am called Miss Lee. Lee is my surname (last name). You can’t call me Miss Chi. Chi is part of my first name.

5. Never have a drink yourself before you give a toast in public dinner

Eg. If you happened to attend a big dinner for wedding or birthday in China, you must give a toast to the host and guests before you drink anything. It means to respect to the host and his/her guests.

6. Never not try to pay bill in front of others for the dinner

Eg. This is important. It does happen to every Chinese society, even in China town of western world unless family background of individual is very westernised. If you had dinner with few Chinese friends, you must rush to pay bill for the whole table in order to express your generosity. It’s very common to see several Chinese people grabbing bill in the end of the meal, and one of them tries to make the payment for the whole table. In my situation, I don’t do it as usually friends do share bill in Hong Kong unless under some special occasion. However, it does happen often in Chinese society.

7. Always bring your gifts when you visit friends

Eg. You always need to bring gifts to your Chinese friends when you pay a visit. This is not so common in H.K. now. It only happens in Chinese New Year and some other important Chinese festivals.

8. Don’t accept gifts right away

Eg. If a common friend of yours did give you a gift, you have to PRETEND not to take it right away. You have to refuse it at the first place, then accept it at last after you have been asked to accept it for several times. Just try to be polite and act not greedy. It’s greedy in Chinese eyes. It’s ok to accept gifts directly from close family members and friends, and relationships between boy friends and girl friends.

9. Don’t ever think “No” is real “NO”

Eg. If you offered your common Chinese friend a can of coke, usually he/she would say “No”, even though they are thirsty to death. You have to ask at least three times, then they would accept your offers. It’s also not humble in Chinese eyes to accept offers from people directly. If I was offered by someone I don’t know well, then I would refuse the offer. If I was offered by someone I know very well, then of course I would take the coke right away by saying “Yes! Please!”

Chinese people are well known humble and being patience. We concern about “face” in public. The above addresses clearly the real reasons.

I remember I did have difficulties to say NO and THANK YOU during the first year I spent in England. When my school mates said to me that I looked good with my dress, I couldn’t say “THANK YOU” directly. I felt bad and not humble by saying so. I was such a traditional Chinese at that time. When one of my school mates asked me to lend her a skirt of mine for the party, I couldn’t say “NO” even though I didn’t want to lend it to her. I felt I wasn’t generous if I refused to lend it to her. You can compare my past behaviours and the list above, then you can understand the real meaning of traditional Chinese.

I now act the way I am, and say “Yes” or “No” upon my will. Of course, I also act part of the list above, but not too much over.

It’s another recall news again after a year of high lead content found in children toys, but this time is about tainted dairy products. Needless to say they are from Mainland China again. I wonder if those people were totally out of their mind during the production. Dairy food and drink products are people most common daily diet. The latest problems are directly related to human health. Four infants dead, 12,892 sick after drinking baby formula contained content of melamine. Hong Kong reported one case of illness this afternoon. H.K. parents are taking their kids for check up in the local hospitals. The long line is clearly seen outside of every hospital. This issue is spreading around the world, not just Mainland and Hong Kong. Taiwan and N.Z are also included. Local Starbucks Coffee is also involved as they use dairy products that made in China.

Products include milk powder, pure milk, yogurt, coffee and any kind of food and drinks that related to dairy products. Brands include Nestle, Mr. Brown Coffee and some other Chinese dairy product brands. Most of the major international dairy product brands are now also having their samples for testing in the laboratories because most of them are also manufactured in China. Health experts say ingesting melamine can lead to kidney stones, urinary tract ulcers, and eye and skin irritation.

Fortunately,  the milk product brand I did drink very often, the result was released yesterday that they are fine.

Production issue of Mainland China is slowly releasing year by year - toys, textile, pet food, tin food, pork, seafood, dairy products, furniture, and what else? Perhaps, vegetables, fruits are coming….who knows?

If they didn’t concern of their quality assurance issues, they would ruin the local economy. Foreign investors are now still having production plants in China, but once they found somewhere else with good cost and sufficient labour force then they could make their moves.

I have been browsing around, and saw this article on yahoo about cost of California homes. I indeed feel cost of houses/flats in Hong Kong is extremely expensive. The photo was shown on the right hand corner of the article stated 4 bed rooms home, currently on the market for $1.87 million with Pacific Ocean views in California.

Guess what? Same size, same look but of course with different views such as facing SOUTH CHINA SEA, not PACIFIC OCEAN……Such houses in H.K. will cost you over USD8 million. You can only buy a flat in Hong Kong with USD1.87 million for 1,000 cu.ft., with views of road or next door neighbourhood in a city center. You may have a quarter of window view facing the Victoria Harbour. And you will be living on a level over 30th floor perhaps. The highest level the flat is located, the cost the more expensive.

Houses with three levels in my area now also cost USD1 million, and I am living in a suburb area You can see all those green lands with houses all around. It’s indeed congested, but much better than the city centre.

Somewhat, those paid high cost for an expensive flat in H.K., they can make the money back in a year or two. Hong Kong housing market always goes up and down any minute. If you could sell it quick when the price is up, at least 10% profit is secured in your pocket.

Needless to say, this is also part of the reasons of Chinese/Asians buying houses in California rather than buying a tiny flat in their home countries. Just imagine you pay much less money for a beautiful house with a great view and in a non-congested physical environment, what more you ask for?

Fortunately, income taxes are low in H.K. It’s kind of lowest in the world. People can handle mortgage with not too much pressure as long as economy of H.K. is doing well. The jump in the USD and the decline in oil are signs of economic weakness around the globe —particularly those in Western Europe. Our stock market is dropping lately, totally effected by the global environment. People start to worry especially those who bought houses not long ago. RMB is doing ok now, not crazily rising, not like how it had been before the Olympic. Mainland China will become our main supporter in the worst scenario. Everyone hopes that economy of China can remain stable same as the way it was before the Olympic.

Lets find out how common your surnames are. Mine is VERY common in Asia.

American presidential election is dramatic. Different stores have been released everyday. I feel like watching drama, and chasing it day by day.

I did watch the acceptance speech given by Obama, and also the one given by Sara Palin today. I like watching speech given by politicians. My favourite speeches were those given by Tony Blair. Obama is the second politician who gives speech I really like. He is dominated with fair judgments but not argument and attacking. He is an excellent speaker.

Speech of Sara Palin is dramatic. Certainly, she attracts women’s voters perhaps attracts those voted for Hillary. She turned herself as a victim of her 17 years old daughter’s controversy story. She won’t overshadow John McCain’s campaign. She has no baggage. The Democratic has no way to challenge her. She is smart enough to have her underage pregnant daughter with her fiance on the stage for showing image of family utility. Family image is on the agenda of her battle. She is ready to fight, and looks like much stronger than Hillary. I find that terrifying. Her speech is attacking.

Sara Palin maybe the best choice of John McCain for the election battle, but she could be an unworldly woman who has judgment lacking in sophistication.

I can’t wait to see the debate between Obama and John McCain.

Interesting news! Indeed interesting! Teen daughter of GOP VP pick  is pregnant!

I thought Sara Palin is a conservative mother (she sounds like it upon all her policies towards women’s rights), but somehow her daughter only 17 got pregnant. IF she was conservative enough, and able to teach her daughter how to protect herself, then I doubt her daughter would get pregnant before marriage. And she is only 17, not a complete adult. Sigh! How can you believe what politicians ever said? Just be true, not to be a hypocrite!

It’s very informative data with very fair judgment on the medal counts.

No more Olympic games played on TV that made me feel a bit bored with the programmes on our usual TV channels. Sigh! I am not a sporty person, but I enjoyed watching the excitement of various competitions especially the happy expression of all those gold medal winners.

This controversy topic has been on more than a week since the Chinese women team won the gold medal of team gymnastic. Chinese women do usually look young compared with our actual age, but obviously two in the team do look particularly young.

On one hand, many are delighted that China is doing so well in the Olympic, on the other hand, many are disappointed that China is breaking rules in the games. A good post made by James Fallows that shows a post, from the Stryde Hax blog, did the technical job of finding information that has not been removed from caches of official Chinese web sites. I am very surprise that how this technical guy found the caches page, and discovered the niches of the Chinese system. As what James Fallows said is correct, this revising public records is not something Chinese or outsiders should want to see, but in my eyes this is something related to justice. I think I do look at things in fair open way. Although I am a Hong Kong born Chinese, I truly believe that the internal issues of China could only be improved under international pressure. International pressure is seen as a challenge of Chinese government, is also a way that leads China towards the real modern world. Hope that this controversy story will end up in happy way but under the truth.

I read a sad story about mothers of two Chinese gold medal winners on newspaper - one is a beggar and one is picking up rubbish on the streets of Beijing for self support. Of course, these two mothers are now having good life since their sons/daughters won the gold medals. The news story didn’t name those two gold medal winners. They are now awarded big money by the government. Before they won the medals, it’s hard to imagine how their mothers survived in poverty, but their sons/daughters are actually in the national teams. Needless to say, this is the way to get out of the poverty by joining the national training. However, their parents didn’t get any government support until their sons/daughters won any international games, and became famous. Yao Ming and Liu Xiang are really the special case and exceptional case. Many of Olympians are still earning very little money every month. They do look at the competitions as their only life goals, and as the only way towards good life. The physical environment of Chinese Olympians is indeed very different from those in the west.

Just imagine how much money China spent on the Olympic and how many people of China are still under poverty, you cannot blame those who made harsh judgment on internal issues of China, and call it as a totalitarian country. I got no doubt about it.

I feel sorry for Liu Xiang not because he withdrew from the games, but how much pressure he put on from the public. I don’t feel anything bad or shame personally that Liu Xiang withdrew from the games. His right leg was badly injured. He can’t even walk properly, so how he can complete the games. Many put all their hopes on him for all the opportunities of winning gold medals of athlete events this week. He even needs to make a public apology announcement today for his withdrawal. It’s just ridiculous. He is not the only one in the whole event. The Beijing sport media even prepared a poster of “his winning” image for the publication one day before he withdrew the game. They thought once he won, they would have the poster published right away. Unfortunately, he withdrew next day. Then the media had the poster of his “painful look” image published right after he withdrew. At last, both posters had also been published on the same day. You can see how much pressure people gave it to him, and how ridiculous the public media is.

I don’t feel right that China is obsessed with trying to out-medal the Americans, this is ridiculous. I hope this is not true. It doesn’t really matter who won the medals, and how many gold medals have been won by China. Overall, it’s an international game held once in four years, it’s about union of international sports not the opportunity of necessary showing national power. China had a great open ceremony shown to the world; it’s great and fantastic, but obsession of winning most of the gold medals over particular country then it doesn’t sound good to me.