Perhaps the gravity of the news weighed heavily on the mind of Kellogg's nutritionist Julie Howden this week. After hearing of widespread ignorance about the role of fibre in the local diet, Howden was about to introduce a report on constipation when she was moved to remind journalists of their duties.

'More than half the people in Hong Kong have never heard the term 'dietary fibre',' she announced firmly.

'I think it is up to us - and the Hong Kong Justice Department - to make sure they know about it.' Backbites can just imagine a judge in the High Court admonishing Ah Wong: 'Now, to avoid constipation, be sure to eat plenty of fruit and porridge while serving the prison sentence I'm about to punish you with.' After a flushed realisation set in, Howden corrected herself: 'Er . . . I mean the Health Department.'