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The Government today (November 25) launched a public consultation exercise on the proposed labelling scheme on nutrition information as part of its ongoing efforts to enhance public health.

"Nutrition information on food labels is an important public health tool to promote a balanced diet," a spokesman from the Health, Welfare and Food Bureau (HWFB) said. "A mandatory nutrition labelling scheme can facilitate consumers to make healthy food choices, encourage manufacturers to formulate foods with sound nutritional value and regulate misleading or deceptive nutrition labels and claims.

"We have taken into account the Codex principles, local health situation and other factors when considering the scope and requirements of the labelling scheme," the spokesman said.

It was proposed to implement a mandatory nutrition labelling scheme in two phases. In Phase 1, food suppliers who choose on a voluntary basis to carry nutrition information, or nutrient-related claims are required to follow the nutrition labelling requirements specified in the legislation. In Phase 2, the nutrition labelling requirements would apply to all prepackaged food products unless otherwise exempted.

"We propose to require the labelling of nine core nutrients plus energy for all prepackaged food. The nine core nutrients are protein, carbohydrate, total fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, sugars, dietary fibre, sodium and calcium," the spokesman said.

"To allow sufficient time for the trade to prepare for the changes, and taking into account the wide variety of foods that will be affected and the shelf-lives of a large variety of prepackaged food products, we propose that a two-year grace period would be allowed before implementing Phase I of the proposed labelling scheme; and that Phase II (ie, mandatory nutrition labelling) would be implemented three years after the implementation of Phase I.

"We would like to gauge views from the public and the trade on our proposal before we proceed further. We shall carefully consider the views received during the public consultation period before finalising the details of our nutrition labelling requirements," the spokesman added.

The public consultation commenced today and would last until January 31 next year. A series of public forums will be held during the consultation period to gauge public opinion.

A public consultation document containing details of the proposal was released today. Copies of the document are available at the 18 District Offices of the Home Affairs Department and District Environmental Hygiene Offices of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department. The document can also be downloaded from the HWFB Homepage at www.hwfb.gov.hk.

Comments and views can be sent by post, facsimile or email to the following address by January 31, 2004:

Health, Welfare and Food Bureau

(Attn: Consultation on Nutrition Labelling Scheme)

10/F, Citibank Tower,

3 Garden Road,

Hong Kong

Facsimile: (852) 2136 3282

Email address: nutrition_labelling@hwfb.gov.hk

Ends/Tuesday, November 25, 2003

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( Floor / Cantonese / English )