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The Food and Drugs (Composition and Labelling) (Amendment) Regulation 2014 takes effect today (March 24). The fees for applications and renewal applications for small volume exemption (SVE) from Nutrition Labelling submitted by electronic means through the Food Import Control System (FICS) are reduced from $345 and $335 to $265 and $250 respectively.
The Government introduced the Nutrition Labelling Scheme (NLS) for prepackaged food in 2008. To minimise its impact on food choice, the Government has also established an SVE scheme under the NLS. Any prepackaged food with annual sales volume in Hong Kong not exceeding 30,000 units which does not carry nutrition claims on its label or in any advertisement will be exempted from the nutrition labelling requirements. In addition to submission by mail, fax, email or in person, the trade may submit SVE applications or renewal applications by electronic means through the FICS.
A spokesman for the Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department said, "Having regard to the experience gained in processing electronic applications, the CFS has streamlined the relevant work procedures and upgraded its computer system, effectively reducing the processing time and cost of applications. Upon review on a full-cost recovery basis, the fees concerned can be reduced accordingly.
"The use of electronic applications will save paper and is in line with the Government's policy on environmental protection. The reduction of fees will encourage traders to submit their applications through the FICS."
Ends/Monday, March 24, 2014
Issued at HKT 11:40
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