This document discusses several issues related to food labeling in Hong Kong and suggests solutions to those issues. It addresses the problem of inconsistent food safety checks, misleading nutrition claims, labeling of genetically modified foods, and inconsistent labeling of pre-packaged dried foods. For each issue, it outlines the current problem and proposes mandatory or voluntary labeling approaches, discussing the pros and cons of each suggested solution.

1. Food Safety problem -- Food labelling Scheme Chan pui ching(10418717) Leung Chau Heung (10406719)

2. Food 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.

3. Food Labeling Issue 1 The 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 supermarkets Risk-based approach in selecting food samples

4. Pros and Cons of the Suggestions Sampling 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

5. Risk-based approach in selecting food samples monitor 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.

6. Food Labeling Issue 2 Problem of misleading and exaggerated nutrition claim in food labels products claims of “ high fibre”, “low salt” or “less fat”e.t.c , are suspected to be false claiming, misleading or exaggerated.

7. Reinforce the prosecution procedure Pros: set examples for all the food manufacturers shop keepers closely monitor the nutrition label of their food products automatically protection of public health. Cons: Social dispute—target on small retail outlets(affect their businesses) Food manufacturers need more time for adapt the scheme

8. Education Advantages: --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.

9. Food Labeling Issue 3 Genetically modified food labeling concerns NO 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

10. Pros and Cons of the Suggestions Voluntary labeling approach Pros: maintaining cost of the producers and suppliers Cons: consumer failed to obtain the GM information of the goods Mandatory labeling approach in all kinds of food Pros: GM content can be provided to the consumers Cons: adding the production cost Mandatory labeling approach in specify of food Pros: Testing and investigation lead time can be shorter because of limited the food range Cons: restricted the GM information to consumers

11. Food Labeling Issue 4 Labeling 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, E u Y an S ang and Wai Yuen Tong According to the o rdinance , 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

12. Suggestions and their advantages/disadvantages Suggested 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 shops Mandatory 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

13. Questions