A labelling scheme could soon see nutrition information on all pre-packaged food products. The Government proposes to implement the move in two phases within five years.
A public consultation will be held until January 31 to garner views on the scheme which is part of the Government's drive to enhance public health.
Deputy Secretary for Health, Welfare & Food Eddy Chan today said the Government has taken into account many important factors in considering the scheme's scope and requirements.
He said a mandatory nutrition labelling scheme will help consumers make healthy food choices, encourage manufacturers to formulate foods with sound nutritional value, and regulate misleading or deceptive labels and claims.
"Nutrition labelling is an international trend. Canada, for example, has taken 10 years to implement the scheme. But Hong Kong, which has a late start, wants to implement the scheme at a quicker pace," Mr Chan said.
With cancer, heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, osteoporosis and obesity the major diseases suffered by Hong Kong people, Deputy Director of Food & Environmental Hygiene Dr Mak Sin-ping said the scheme will enhance awareness of good health and nutrition.
"Nutrition information on food labels is an important public health tool to promote a balanced diet," she said.
Implementation in two phases
In phase one, food suppliers can choose to carry nutrition information, or nutrient-related claims. But they are required to follow the nutrition labelling requirements specified in the legislation.
In phase two, the labelling requirements will apply to all pre-packaged food products unless otherwise exempted.
Considering the wide range of products that will be affected and their shelf lives, a two-year grace period will be allowed for phase one implementation after the legislation's enactment.
The second phase will be implemented three years after the full implementation of the first.
Nutrition labelling requirements
The proposal requires the labelling of energy plus nine core nutrients - protein, carbohydrate, total fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, sugars, dietary fibre, sodium and calcium - for all pre-packaged food.
Some items are exempt from the scheme, such as food packed in a container with an aggregated surface area of less than 100cm2, food sold at a catering establishment for immediate consumption, and baby food.
A series of public forums will be held during the consultation period to gauge public opinion.
Copies of the document are available at District Offices and District Environmental Hygiene Offices. The document can also be downloaded from the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department's website.
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