99% of foods labelling-scheme compliant

July 08, 2011

The Centre for Food Safety has checked more than 16,200 prepackaged food products since the nutrition labelling scheme came into effect on July 1 last year, recording an overall compliance rate of 99.3%.
 
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Food Safety Day 2011 and Nutrition Labelling Promotion Award Scheme Award Presentation Ceremony today, Secretary for Food & Health Dr York Chow said the scheme has been implemented smoothly, enabling consumers to make informed food choices.
 
He said it encourages the food trade to apply sound nutrition principles in the formulation of foods, adding consumers have become increasingly aware of the importance of using nutrition labels in making healthier food choices.
 
A telephone survey conducted by the Bauhinia Foundation Research Centre last month found nearly 80% of more than 1,000 interviewees claimed the scheme helped them make healthier food choices. More than half the interviewees said the scheme boosted their confidence in the nutrient information or claims on prepackaged food.
 
Dr Chow said emphasis has been placed on youth participation in executing the nutrition labelling publicity strategy, with the topic being integrated into the school curriculum. During the current academic year, the centre and the Education Bureau jointly organised the first Nutrition Labelling Promotion Award Scheme, in which 35 teams from 21 secondary schools took part in creative activities to promote labelling.
 
Dr Chow said the centre plans to launch a two-year enhancement programme on nutrition labelling.