Hong Kong food labelling: voluntary approach proposed for controlling salt and sugar content
Government-appointed panel set to make recommendations in second quarter
A voluntary system encouraging manufacturers to cut down on salt and sugar levels in pre-packaged food will be rolled out this year as the first step to help Hongkongers eat better, according to the chairman of a government-appointed working group.
Bernard Chan, chairman of the committee on reduction of salt and sugar in food, said he expected the group to submit a proposal in the second quarter of the year.
READ MORE: Hong Kong sets target to reduce sugar and salt content in food
“We believe labelling food with low salt and sugar levels is the easy target we can achieve in the short term,” Chan said after the committee held its third meeting yesterday. “It will help customers to make a healthier choice, and pressure manufacturers to be more health-conscious.”
He hoped the label would be simple, such as a “green light”, to recognise food with “low salt and sugar” so that it would be easy for the general public to make a choice.
In the long term, the group will make suggestions on salt and sugar levels in food products, but Chan admitted such a move would be more complicated and controversial.
The committee, however, would not advise the government to legislate for a mandatory standard or labelling, and all suggestions would be voluntary, Chan said.