Confusion reigned on day one of the new food nutrition labelling law yesterday, with some retailers unsure if their products fell under the new regime and others unaware of the changes.
Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene Cheuk Wing-hing said early teething problems were expected and officials would help the industry adapt.
Cheuk said the department had done its best to ensure compliance with the new law, including reaching out to shops selling traditional food or products to ethnic minorities.
'Compliance is very high for major supermarket chains,' he said. 'If retailer or suppliers have difficulties with any foods, they can come to us. We are ready to help them and give them information about the new law. The new nutrition labelling law is a milestone for Hong Kong.'
The new law requires packaged food sold by retailers and wholesalers to carry the 1+7 (energy plus seven core elements) label. Food products must also comply with required standards before making nutritional claims such as 'low in sugar' or 'no trans-fats'.
In Peel Street, Sheung Wan, an elderly stall owner who has sold homemade pickled food for a decade thought the salted lemon she sells in plastic bottles did not need new labels despite the fact that the products are considered to be 'prepackaged' under the government's definition.