When the amended regulations come into operation on 5 December 2015, no one can import eggs into Hong Kong unless they produce a health certificate issued by an issuing entity from the place of origin recognized by the Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene to certify that the eggs are fit for human consumption; and obtain a permission in writing from a health officer of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department by providing information that the health officer considers essential for tracking the actual importation of the eggs into Hong Kong. Fully cooked eggs and egg that constitutes one of the ingredients of a compounded food item are however excluded.