The revised nutrition labelling scheme for pre-packaged food has taken into account principles adopted by the Codex Alimentarius Commission, local health and disease patterns as well as overseas regimes, striking a balance among different stakeholders, Centre for Food Safety Controller Dr Constance Chan says.

Speaking on a radio show today, Dr Chan said the revised scheme will cover energy, trans-fat, protein, carbohydrates, fat, saturated fat, sodium and sugars.

Compared with the original proposal tabled in 2005, the revised scheme will include saturated fat, sodium, sugars and trans-fat, but cholesterol, calcium and dietary fibre will be taken off the list. However, when a claim is made on the amount of cholesterol or the amount and type of fat, then the amount of cholesterol, mono-unsaturated fat and polyunsaturated fat should also be declared.

Local situation

Dr Chan said saturated fat, sodium, sugars and trans-fat are closely associated with cardiovascular diseases and strokes, the second and third major causes of death in Hong Kong. Limited intake of energy-dense foods and salt, and avoidance of sugary drinks will cut the risk of cancer, the major cause of deaths in the city.

She said cholesterol is taken out as saturated fat and trans-fats are considered more important risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

Dr Chan said apart from the principles adopted by the Codex Alimentarius Commission, local health and disease patterns as well as overseas regimes, the revised proposal has also taken into account compliance costs for the food trade, implication on food choice, views collected during the consultation exercise and the results of the regulatory impact assessment, so as to come up with a scheme appropriate for the local situation.

More flexibility

Principal Assistant Secretary for Food & Health Angelina Cheung said under the original proposal 5% to 10% of food available in Hong Kong would be withdrawn from the market. The impact on food choice, however, will be reduced with the flexibility allowed in the revised scheme.

On the proposed small volume exemption scheme for food products with annual sales volume of 30,000 units or below Mrs Cheung said the move will exempt many ethnic food, organic food, or niche food products mostly imported or manufactured in small volume. This will also cater for the staging of food fairs and trade promotion events held usually for market testing purposes.

She said small volume exemption will be subject to Food & Environmental Hygiene Department approval under a pre-registration system. Food traders will have to report to the department the monthly sales volume of the food items while department staff will conduct enforcement checks.