29 Feb The Consumer Council has reviewed the labeling of 40 probiotic products on the market
Regarding the recent report published by the Consumer Council on the labeling of 40 probiotic products on the market and published in the monthly magazine “Choice”, the Association is deeply concerned about this and has made the following response:
The Hong Kong Health Food Association has always prioritized the well-being of Hong Kong citizens and has consistently demanded that our members adhere to self-discipline and encourages the industry to do the same. Our members comply with the business code established by our association, which includes adherence to all relevant laws concerning the sale, promotion, and distribution of health food, ensuring their safety and appropriate use for the intended population.
As widely known, health food products in Hong Kong are generally classified as prepackaged food and are primarily regulated under the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance (Chapter 132) Part V and its subsidiary legislation, as well as the Food Safety Ordinance (Chapter 612). According to the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance, products must be suitable for human consumption and comply with regulations related to food safety, food standards, and labeling requirements. In terms of packaging labeling and claims, health food products are subject to regulations not only under the Food and Drugs (Composition and Labeling) Regulations (Chapter 132W) regarding prepackaged food labeling, nutrition labeling, and claims, but also under the Undesirable Advertisement (Medicine) Ordinance (Chapter 231) and the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (Chapter 362) regarding various categories of claims on product packaging. According to the report, the products have included ingredient lists on the labels as required by the regulations, and the detailed information regarding the ingredients is voluntarily provided. The main health claims and efficacy are also not found to be in violation of the Undesirable Advertisement (Medicine) Ordinance.
Currently, Hong Kong has sufficient regulatory measures in place to govern health food products, and the mainstream industry has been complying with the relevant provisions of local legislation. To date, our association has not received any complaints related to health food products. The general public can consume health food products with confidence based on their individual circumstances. In order to promote the orderly development of the health food market, our association and all its members will continue to strengthen cooperation with the government, working together to provide better health food products for the public. We will closely collaborate with the government and other relevant agencies and departments to discuss and formulate policies and provide plans and projects. Our association aims to establish stricter regulatory standards and quality control measures for health food products, reminding the industry to ensure the safety and efficacy of health food products, allowing the public to consume them with peace of mind. At the same time, we will actively provide information and education to the public to help them make informed choices, promoting health and well-being in our community.