Government launches public consultation on proposed amendments to Sweeteners in Food Regulations
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Sweeteners are food additives that impart a sweet taste to food in place of sugars. Like other food additives, sweeteners are permitted for use only after stringent safety evaluations that demonstrate they are fit for consumption. The Regulations stipulate that no person shall sell, consign, deliver or import any food containing sweeteners, except the permitted sweeteners.
The Environment and Ecology Bureau and the Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department have reviewed the Regulations and proposed amendments to update Hong Kong's food safety standards. The proposed amendments have primarily made reference to the General Standard for Food Additives formulated by the Codex Alimentarius Commission, which was established by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the World Health Organization. The proposed legislative amendments include bringing polyhydric alcohols under the regulatory scope, expanding the list of permitted sweeteners, setting maximum permitted levels for different "sweetener-food" pairs, as well as making technical amendments, with a view to better protecting public health and harmonising with international standards. The proposed amendments are supported by the Expert Committee on Food Safety, which comprises local, Mainland and overseas experts. The Government also briefed the Legislative Council Panel on Food Safety and Environmental Hygiene in June this year on the proposed legislative amendments, which received general support from the Panel.
A Government spokesman said, "Apart from enhancing the protection of food safety, the proposed amendments expand the list of permitted sweeteners to offer more choices for the trade and consumers. At the same time, harmonising local food safety standards for sweeteners with non-local standards helps facilitate the food trade. To allow reasonable preparation time for the trade and other stakeholders, the Government proposes to provide an 18-month transitional period following completion of the legislative procedure for the subsidiary legislation to amend the Regulations."
The consultation document can be downloaded from the CFS website (www.cfs.gov.hk/english/whatsnew_fstr_Proposed_Amendments_Sweeteners_Food_Regulation.html). Members of the public may submit their written views on the proposed amendments by email (sweetener_consultation@fehd.gov.hk), fax (2893 3547) or post (43/F, Queensway Government Offices, 66 Queensway, Hong Kong) within the consultation period.
The Government will also conduct consultation forums to collect views from the public. For details, please refer to the CFS website.
Ends/Friday, September 4, 2026
Issued at HKT 14:33
Issued at HKT 14:33
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