Updated at 6.36pm: Health Secretary York Chow Yat-ngok said on Wednesday the government wanted to set up a centre to monitor food safety in Hong Kong later this year.
Speaking at a Legislative Council special meeting, Dr Chow said the centre would be established to maintain the quality and safety of food sold in the territory.
'The arrangement is intended to address the growing public expectation for better food quality and safety standards,' he explained.
Dr Chow said the centre would work under the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department.
He added that proposals would be submitted to the Legislative Council's finance committee on April 7.
The plan comes in the wake of growing fears about the spread of the H5N1 virus or bird-flu. Ten deaths from the disease have been reported in the mainland.