| Import Control and Food Safety Guidelines Guide to Import of Milk and Milk Beverages into Hong Kong Purpose The purpose of this guide is to provide general guidance for importers
who wish to import milk or milk beverages 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, Milk Regulation
of the Ordinance stipulates requirements and standards for milk or milk
beverages. 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 milk or milk beverages 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 Milk Regulation requires, inter alia, any milk or milk beverage 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 milk or milk beverage processing
plant; (b) the law of the country of origin governing the production of milk
or milk beverages; (c) empty containers of the milk or milk beverage with labels; (d) information on the heat treatment method of the milk or milk beverage
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 pasteurising or sterilizing the milk or milk beverage and
that the products have been handled, processed and packed under hygienic
conditions
- showing the chemical and bacteriological quality of the products;
and
(f) a statement from the manufacturer confirming the approximate shelf-life
of the products. 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 milk
or milk beverages 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 milk or milk beverage consignment arrives and before its release, the
products will be inspected and if necessary, sampled by the Department.
Upon the Department's satisfaction, 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 milk or milk beverages, the Department pledges to : (a) process applications for approval of a source of manufacture within
12 working days; and (b) issue "release letters" within 14 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 milk and milk beverages 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 |
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