Secretary for Food & Health Dr York Chow is confident food traders will have no problem complying with Food Safety Bill requirements - such as keeping transaction records - after the bill is enacted.

Dr Chow told reporters today the Government has consulted the trade extensively on the issue.

Believing big traders should have no problem, he said medium-sized and small traders need only to register and to keep transaction receipts for up to two years, depending on the type of goods purchased.

He said pilot studies in some retail markets show most traders can accommodate this new measure, and he is confident it is not going to be difficult for the trade to follow. Dr Chow added the registration fee is less than $200 for three years, "affordable for even the smallest traders".

He described the new measure as crucial in helping authorities trace problematic food sources in future.

"If they have the transaction receipts, then we know where they come from and can also narrow down the search so we do not have to ban such a wide variety or large volume of imports. It is going to be a big benefit for the whole community," Dr Chow said.