Hong Kong: Hong Kong Passed Amendment to Harmful Substances in Food Regulation

The Legislative Council passed the Harmful Substances in Food (Amendment) Regulation 2021 on July 14, 2021. The goal of the legislation is to enhance the regulation of harmful substances such as industrially produced trans fats and mycotoxins in food. The provisions stipulating the new/revised maximum levels of harmful substances in food become effective on June 1, 2023 while those prohibiting partially hydrogenated oils (PHO) in food become effective on December 1, 2023. The Food and Drugs (Composition and Labelling) (Amendment) Regulation 2021 was also updated to provide for the marking and labelling requirement for prepackaged foods containing hydrogenated oil; it is effective the same date PHO ban is effective – December 1, 2023.