| Import Control and Food Safety Guidelines Guide to Import of Frozen Confections into Hong Kong Purpose The
purpose of this guide is to provide general guidance for importers who
wish to import frozen confections into Hong Kong. Statutory Requirements In Hong Kong, the legal framework of food safety control
is laid down in Part V of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance,
Cap. 132 and its subsidiary legislation. A list of the subsidiary legislation
is at Appendix. The basic requirement, as stipulated
in Section 54 of the Ordinance, is that no food intended for sale should
be unfit for human consumption. Specifically, Frozen Confections Regulation
of the Ordinance stipulates requirements and standards for frozen confections.
Importers
can purchase the main Ordinance and its subsidiary legislation from the
Publications Sales Unit at Room 402, Murray Building, Garden Road, Central. Food
and Environmental Hygiene Department  Food and Environmental Hygiene Department of the Government
of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is responsible for implementing
territory-wide policies of food safety control and enforcing the food
legislation. To this end, part of its duties is to exercise the power
provided under Section 62(1) of the Public Health and Municipal Services
Ordinance to collect food samples at points of entry to the territory
for analyses, including bacteriological and chemical examinations.
Food
and Environmental Hygiene Department will pay the market price of any
samples taken from importers. Due to difficulties in ascertaining the
price at entry points, the Department will issue a sampling notice to
importers when samples are collected. The notice will specify items and
quantities of food samples which have been taken. Importers could send
an invoice and a copy of the notice afterwards to the Department for payment. Importers Food
importers, through close liaison with exporting countries, are responsible
for ensuring that frozen confections they procure comply with the local
legislation. Importers should pay attention to the specific import procedures
for these food products as set out below. Application for Approval of Source of Manufacture The
Frozen Confections Regulation requires, inter alia, any frozen confection
to be imported into Hong Kong from a source of manufacture that has been
approved by the Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene. Assistant
Director (Food Surveillance and Control) of Food and Environmental Hygiene
Department exercises the authority on behalf of the Director to make the
approval. Before importing these food products into Hong Kong, importers
need to apply to the Assistant Director (Food Surveillance and Control)
in writing and provide the following information :
(a)
the full name and address of the frozen confection processing plant;
(b)
the law of the country of origin governing the production of frozen
confections;
(c)
empty containers or wrappers of the frozen confection with labels;
(d)
information on the heat treatment method of the frozen confection and
facilities, including production equipment and water supply, in the
processing plant;
(e)
a certificate from an appropriate authority in the country of origin
for the purpose of -
- certifying the
effectiveness and efficiency of the heat treatment method in sterilizing
the frozen confection and that the products have been handled, processed
and packed under hygienic conditions
- showing the chemical
and bacteriological quality of the products; and
(f)
details of ingredients, including colouring matters, stablisers and
sweeting agents, etc., and their amount in the frozen confection.
Arrival
of Consignment After obtaining the approval and satisfying other conditions which may
be imposed by the Assistant Director (Food Surveillance and Control) of
Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, importers may import the frozen
confections into Hong Kong. Section 59(1)(c) of the Public Health and
Municipal Services Ordinance provides the Department with the power to
make special procedures for examining imported food. At present, when
a frozen confection consignment arrives and before its release, the products
will be inspected and if necessary, sampled by the Department. Upon the
satisfaction of the Department, a "release letter" will be issued to the
importer. Performance
Pledge Food
and Environmental Hygiene Department is determined to provide quality
service to the public, including importers. In connection with the import
of frozen confections, the Department pledges to :
(a)
process applications for approval of a source of manufacture within
12 working days; and
(b) issue "release
letters" within 21 working days upon receipt of notification of arrival
or actual arrival of consignments, whichever is later.
Where
to make applications or enquiries Applications related to the import of frozen confections and payment of samples should be addressed to the Centre for Food Safety of Food and Environmental Hygiene Department at 43/F, Queensway Government Offices, 66 Queensway, Hong Kong . For enquiries, please feel free to call the Department's Chief Health Inspector (Import/Export) 6 at 2867 5990 or 24-hour hotline on food safety at 2868 0000.
Centre for Food Safety
Food and Environmental Hygiene Department |
|