Studies of local food items' local nutrients will help people improve their diet and prevent chronic illness, Food & Environmental Hygiene Department Community Medicine Consultant Dr Ho Yuk-yin says, adding nutrients of local rice and noodle dishes will be studied.

Speaking on radio talk shows today, Dr Ho said nutrients affect health, and one's lifestyle and diet has direct relation with chronic illness.To help consumers make better choices and improve their diet, the department has set up a nutrient information inquiry system featuring nutrients of popular food items, including Chinese dim sum.

Dr Ho noted rice and noodle dishes, which are popular in Hong Kong, will be studied, while a nutrient information labelling system will be in place in 2008 to help consumers choose food products wisely.

As regards labels for genetically modified food and organic food, the Government will decide the way forward later as these food items will not have an impact on health, he added.

On imports of Mainland foodstuffs, Dr Ho said inspections at the retail and wholesale level are still on-going and exchanges with Mainland authorities have been stepped up to ensure food safety.

He stressed both sides will continue to improve their communication mechanism and information exchange.