A government proposal, drafted after three months of consultations, would allow manufacturers of slimming and health-food products to make therapeutic claims. Critics have accused health officials of giving in to industry pressure.
Manufacturers would be allowed to claim their products could regulate blood sugar and blood pressure, boost the immune system and promote detoxification, if they carry a disclaimer that they are not western or Chinese medicines.
The original proposal, released in September, was to prohibit makers of such products from claiming they have medicinal or therapeutic qualities.
The government still plans to prohibit non-medicinal products from claiming they can reduce breast lumps or regulate the genital, urinary or endocrine systems.
Deputy Director of Health Leung Ting-hung said the new proposals would give 'initial protection to consumers', adding: 'Our new proposals have taken into consideration the risks involved.'
The disclaimer would ensure people would not be misled.