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Get To Know The New Nutrition Labelling Scheme. Information on Food Labels. Nutrition Information on Food Labels : Nutrition Label. Nutrition Information on Food Labels : Nutrition Claim. Background: The International Scene.
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Background: The International Scene • More and more countries/regions have implemented nutrition labelling scheme. • Some developed countries have implemented mandatory nutrition labelling scheme. • Some other countries require the application of nutrition label when a nutrition claim is made for a food.
Background: Situation in Hong Kong Before we have our legislation specific for nutrition labelling and claims: • Only some products present nutrition labels. • No objective standards specifying the levels of nutritional content to be met when making nutrition claims. • Products with the same claim may have very different nutritional content.
Nutrition Labelling Scheme in HK • The new Regulation on nutrition labelling and nutrition claim was enacted by the Legislative Council in May 2008. • It will come into force on 1 July 2010 after a grace period of about two years.
Objectives of Nutrition Labelling Scheme • Facilitate consumers to make informed food choices; • Encourage food manufacturers to apply sound nutrition principles in the formulation of foods; and • Regulate misleading or deceptive labels and claims.
Food and Drugs (Composition and Labelling)(Amendment: Requirements for Nutrition Labellingand Nutrition Claim) Regulation 2008 Nutrition information on Food Labels Nutrition Labelling Nutrition Claims Nutrient content claims Nutrient function claims Nutrient comparative claims
Scope of Regulation • General prepackaged food. • Requires the provision of nutrition label, setting out the content of “1+7”(i.e. energy and seven nutrients specified for labelling). • Nutrition claims will be regulated. Food products bearing nutrition claims must meet certain specified conditions.
Examples of Food Exempted from Nutrition Label • Practical difficulty for providing nutrition label. • The food contains insignificant amount (nearly zero) of energy and specified nutrients. • Fresh food without any addition of ingredients or is not subject to processing. • Prepackaged food sold at a catering establishment for immediate consumption.
Examples of Food Exempted from Nutrition Label 此乃豁免 營養標籤產品 Nutrition Labelling Exempted • Prepackaged food with small sales volume • Annual sales volume of 30 000 units or below and do not carry nutrition claims. • Requires approval of application. • Products exempted will have stickers on the packages to indicate their exemption status. • An exemption number may appear on the stickers as well. 此乃豁免營養標籤產品 Nutrition Labelling Exempted 此乃豁免 營養標籤產品 Nutrition Labelling Exempted
Wordings on Food Packages may be Blacked out or Covered • Food products with low sales volume could be exempted from nutrition labelling if they do not carry any nutrition claims. • Therefore, some traders may black out or cover the wordings on these products’ packages in order to make their products exempted.
Wordings on Food Packages may be Blacked out or Covered • Some nutrition claims may not meet certain specific criteria as required by the new Regulation in Hong Kong. • Therefore, traders might black out or cover the relevant wordings on the food packages.