HONG KONG: The Hong Kong Special Administration Region Government recently introduced major changes to its food regulations.
They include the introduction of a Nutrition Labelling Scheme and amendments to the food regulations covering colouring matters and preservatives.
The new Nutritional Labelling Scheme requires all pre-packaged food to label energy and seven core nutrients:
- protein
- carbohydrates
- total fat
- saturated fatty acids
- trans fatty acids
- sodium and sugars
- as well as any nutrient for which a claim is made eg. Omega 3.
Exemptions are applicable for certain types of pre-packaged food, including food packed in a container which has a total surface area of less than 100cm2, food sold to catering establishments and food which is fresh or raw in nature, provided no nutrition claim is present.
In addition, products with an annual sales volume not exceeding 30,000 units (where no nutrition claim is present) will benefit from a small volume exemption.
The Nutritional Labelling Scheme came into effect on July 1, with a grace period of two years.
The scheme will become mandatory from July 1, 2010. For details of this scheme, please visit: www.cfs.gov.hk/english/food_leg/food_leg_nl_guidance.html
In addition to nutritional labelling, the Preservatives in Food (Amendment) Regulation 2008 also came into effect on July 1.
The major change to the regulation is the combining of lists of permitted preservatives and antioxidants to recognise the multi-functional property of food additives.
A transition period of two years is in place with the amended regulation becoming mandatory from July 1, 2010. For details of the amendment, please visit: www.cfs.gov.hk/english/whatsnew/whatsnew_fstr/whatsnew_fstr_consult_paper.html
There will be an amendment to the Colouring Matter in Food Regulation from December 1, 2008.
‘Red 2g’ will be removed from the list of permitted colouring matters in Hong Kong due to safety concerns over consumption of the product.
For details of the amendment, please visit: www.cfs.gov.hk/english/programme/programme_rafs/Amendment_to_the_Colouring_Matter_in_Food_Regulation.html
Contact: For more information, please contact Sharon-May McCrostie, trade commissioner, NZTE, Hong Kong. Email: sharon-may.mccrostie@nzte.govt.nz
http://www.nzte.govt.nz/section/14482.aspx#hk