Food Safety problem -- Food Safety problem --

Food labelling Scheme

Chan pui ching(10418717) Leung Chau Heung

(10406719)

Food LabelingFood Labeling

mandatory nutrition labeling scheme has been developed and was forced on 1 July 2010.

provide nutrition labels for prepackaged food, with standardized format and content.

It requires information on energy and seven specified nutrients, or

so called “1+7”, to be listed on food labels.

Food Labeling Issue 1Food Labeling Issue 1The problem of sampling on food safety

check

There is large different of the result of nutrition labels check on food items by the Audit Commission and the Food Safety Centre

criticism of the food safety agency's sampling being focused on large supermarkets

Suggestion Methods -Sampling focus on large supermarketsRisk-based approach in selecting food

samples

Pros and Cons of the Pros and Cons of the SuggestionsSuggestionsSampling focus on large supermarkets

Pros: shopping habit of buy food in large supermarkets.

more effective way for conducting food labeling check and protects most of the people.

Cons: waste resources on checking the low risk non-compliance as most of the large supermarkets chain

already has their monitoring teams

Risk-based approach in Risk-based approach in selecting food samplesselecting food samplesmonitor on smaller-scale operations in a

wider range, such as health and ethnic-based shops and snack outlets.

Pros: --test the effectiveness of the scheme in both the large supermarkets and small retail outlet.

address other uncovered problems. encourage the small retail outlet for self monitor and

check for their food products. Cons: --Lost the trust from the public Spent more resources and time on collecting the food

samples. discontent from the small retail shop keepers by

focusing on checking small businesses.

Food Labeling Issue 2Food Labeling Issue 2Problem of misleading and exaggerated

nutrition claim in food labelsproducts claims of “high fibre”, “low salt” or “less fat”e.t.c , are suspected to be false claiming, misleading or exaggerated.

Reinforce the prosecution Reinforce the prosecution procedureprocedure

Pros: set examples for all the food manufacturers shop keepers closely monitor the nutrition

label of their food products automaticallyprotection of public health.

Cons: Social dispute—target on small retail

outlets(affect their businesses)Food manufacturers need more time for

adapt the scheme

EducationEducationAdvantages: --It is the modest method for improving the

scheme by increase public’s conscience on the importance of food labeling and food safety.

 Disadvantages: It increase the administration cost and

human resources of the centre.

Food Labeling Issue 3Food Labeling Issue 3Genetically modified food labeling

concernsNO commercial production of GM farms

goods or livestock at HK. a set of guidelines for voluntary labeling

for trade reference only.Suggestion Method: Voluntary labeling approach Mandatory labeling approach in all kinds

of food Mandatory labeling approach in specify

of food

Pros and Cons of the Pros and Cons of the SuggestionsSuggestionsVoluntary labeling approach Pros: maintaining cost of the producers and

suppliersCons: consumer failed to obtain the GM

information of the goodsMandatory labeling approach in all kinds of foodPros: GM content can be provided to the

consumersCons: adding the production costMandatory labeling approach in specify of foodPros: Testing and investigation lead time can

be shorter because of limited the food rangeCons: restricted the GM information to

consumers

Food Labeling Issue 4Food Labeling Issue 4Labeling of the pre-pack Chinese Dried Food

There is discrepenancy on the basic labeling on the dried food such as Shark's fin, dried mushroom and Bird's nest.

Almost large and traditional shops provided the full description of products such as Tung Fong Hung, Eu Yan Sang and Wai Yuen Tong

According to the ordinance, the pre-pack food should provide below for consumer references:- Name of food- Ingredients- Expiry Date- Special storage method- Supplier name and Producers name- Weight, quantity and volume

Suggestions and their Suggestions and their advantages/disadvantagesadvantages/disadvantagesSuggested method: Compulsory labeling approach in all kinds of products Mandatory labeling approach in specify of food

Pros and Cons of the suggestions

Compulsory labeling approach in all kinds of products Pros: consumers can obtain the basic information of the

purchased goods. Cons: addition cost and manpower need to be added for

suppliers and shopsMandatory labeling approach in specify of food Pros: procedures and working process can be simplified due

to limited the product types. Cons: restricted the basic information to consumers in other

types of products

Questions