Food and Drugs (Composition and Labelling) (Amendment) Regulation 2025 to take effect on April 1 next year
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The Amendment Regulation will take effect on April 1, 2026, prohibiting the sale of mini-cup konjac-containing jelly confectionery with a height or width not exceeding 45 millimetres in the market. In addition, other prepackaged konjac jelly products must be labelled with choking warning statements on their packaging to remind consumers to exercise caution during consumption.
While the Codex Alimentarius Commission considers konjac a safe food additive, the unique product design and firm texture of mini-cup konjac jellies can increase the risk of choking if consumed improperly, particularly for children and the elderly. The Government has been promoting health education messages on the prevention of food choking through various channels, including advice against directly sucking mini-cup konjac-containing jelly confectionery.
The new regulatory requirements are:
(i) Jelly confectionery that is prepackaged food and that is packed in a mini-cup-shaped container must not contain konjac if the height or width of the container does not exceed 45mm; and
(ii) The outermost layer of packaging for the sale of jelly confectionery that is prepackaged food and that contains konjac must be clearly and legibly marked with the following words in both Chinese and English -
"Caution: Do not swallow whole. Elderly and children must consume under supervision."
「注意：勿一口吞食，長者及兒童須在監護下食用。」
The above words must be marked in a conspicuous position on the packaging. They must be underlined and marked in dark colour on a light-coloured background or in light colour on a dark-coloured background; or marked in red text on a white or yellow background.
The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department has worked with relevant stakeholders to enhance health education on choking prevention, including issuing letters to schools, organising seminars, and sharing information on social media.
The CFS has developed a set of guidelines on the new regulatory requirements for the trade and will hold a technical meeting with the trade later to facilitate their understanding of and compliance with the new requirements.
Ends/Thursday, August 21, 2025
Issued at HKT 11:00
Issued at HKT 11:00
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