Make Better Choices Use Nutrition Labels

Monthly Report on Results of Compliance Test
for Nutrition Labelling and Declaration of Allergens
under the Food and Drugs (Composition and Labelling) Regulations

(for the month of March 2013)

The Food and Drugs (Composition and Labelling) Regulations (the Regulations) require all applicable prepackaged foods to list out the ingredients, the content of energy plus seven core nutrients, namely, carbohydrates, protein, total fat, saturated fat, trans fat, sodium and sugars (commonly known as "1 + 7"), and regulate any associated nutrition claims. The ingredients to be listed include, among others, any of the substances specified in section 2(4E) of Schedule 3 to the Regulations which are known to cause allergy in some individuals, if present.

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) has been testing, among other things, nutrients and allergens in prepackaged food samples for compliance under the Regulations. Results of compliance test since January 2012 have been published on the CFS website in the form of monthly reports, which include details of the food samples with discrepancies between labelled and tested nutrient values. Results of those food samples with food allergens detected but undeclared are also published from 1 April 2012 onwards.

(I) Nutrition Labelling

Compliance Test Results* under Nutrition Labelling Scheme

Month / Year No. of food samples tested No. of non-compliant samples#
March 2013 30 10

*Tests may cover "1+7" or any combination of these core nutrients.
# One or more discrepancies between the declared nutrient values and test results were detected.

Details of non-compliant samples

Month Nature / Name of sample Testing parameter Declared value on
nutrition label
Testing result(s)
March 1. Chocolate /
M&M's, Milk Chocolate Candies
200g
1 + 7 Sodium
50mg/100g

Sodium
75mg/100g

(Values for: Energy, Protein, Total fat, Saturated fatty acids, Trans fatty acids, Carbohydrates and Sugars were found satisfactory)
2. Beverage/
Ovaltine 3-in-1
Nutritional Malted Drink
20 pack x 35g
1 + 7 Protein
8g/100g

Protein
3.5g/100g

(Values for: Energy, Total fat, Saturated fatty acids, Trans fatty acids, Carbohydrates, Sugars and Sodium were found satisfactory)
3. Beverage/
Damtuh, Honey Quince Tea
770g
1 + 7 Sodium
5mg/25g
(serving size)

Sodium
32mg/100g

(Values for: Energy, Protein, Total fat, Saturated fatty acids, Trans fatty acids, Carbohydrates and Sugars were found satisfactory)
4. Beverage/
Tao Ti, Milk Tea (with Nata de Coco)
340mL
1 + 7 Saturated fatty acids
0.3g/100mL

Saturated fatty acids
0.57g/100mL

(Values for: Energy, Protein, Total fat, Trans fatty acids, Carbohydrates, Sugars and Sodium were found satisfactory)
5. Beverage/
Gudao, Coix Seed Milk Tea
400mL
1 + 7 Sodium
17mg/100mL

Sodium
29mg/100mL

(Values for: Energy, Protein, Total fat, Saturated fatty acids, Trans fatty acids, Carbohydrates and Sugars were found satisfactory)
6. Juice/
Nodahoney, Blueberry Juice 100%
500mL
1 + 7 Sodium
4mg/100mL

Sodium
10mg/100mL

(Values for: Energy, Protein, Total fat, Saturated fatty acids, Trans fatty acids, Carbohydrates and Sugars were found satisfactory)
7. Juice/
Plein Fruit , Brittany Apple Juice
1L
1 + 7 Sodium
2mg/100mL

Sodium
4.8mg/100mL

(Values for: Energy, Protein, Total fat, Saturated fatty acids, Trans fatty acids, Carbohydrates and Sugars were found satisfactory)
8. Beverage/
Ovaltine Malt Beverage Chocolate Flavoured, Formula 3 (Bag)
1kg
1 + 7 Protein
9g/100g

Protein
5.7g/100g

(Values for: Energy, Total fat, Saturated fatty acids, Trans fatty acids, Carbohydrates, Sugars and Sodium were found satisfactory)
9. Beverage/
Heinz, Apple Cider Vinegar
473mL
1 + 8
Energy
2.4kcal/100mL

Energy
19kcal/100mL

(Values for: Protein, Total fat, Saturated fatty acids, Trans fatty acids, Carbohydrates, Sugars, Dietary fibre and Sodium were found satisfactory)
10. Crackers/
Waterthins TM,
Fine Wafer Crackers – Sesame
150g
Total fat
Total fat
4.4g/100g
Total fat
7.3g/100g

Tolerance Limits for Declaration of Energy Level or Nutrient Content on Nutrition Label

Energy/Nutrients Tolerance Limits
Energy, Total fat, Saturated fatty acids, Trans fatty acids, Cholesterol, Sodium, Sugars ≤ 120% declared value
Protein, Polyunsaturated fatty acids, Monounsaturated fatty acids, Carbohydrates, Starch, Dietary fibre, Soluble fibre, Insoluble fibre, individual component of fibre ≥ 80% declared value
Vitamins and minerals (other than Vitamin A, Vitamin D and added vitamins and minerals) ≥ 80% declared value
Vitamin A and Vitamin D (including added ones) 80% - 180% declared value
Added vitamins and minerals (other than Vitamin A and Vitamin D) ≥ declared value

Source: Technical Guidance Notes on Nutrition Labelling and Nutrition Claims (see table 3)
http://www.cfs.gov.hk/english/food_leg/files/nl_technical_guidance_e.pdf

Remarks: The Centre for Food Safety has taken follow-up action on the non-compliant food products, which include issuing enquiry letter and warning letter to the traders concerned for rectification. Traders who fail to rectify the irregularities within the period specified will be prosecuted.

(II) Declaration of Food Allergens

The Regulations require declaration of any of the eight types of substances which are known to cause allergy in some individuals, if present, in the list of ingredients of pre-packaged food. These substances are: cereals containing gluten; crustacea and crustacean products; eggs and egg products; fish and fish products; peanuts, soyabeans and their products; milk and milk products (lactose included); tree nuts and nut products; and sulphite in concentrations of 10 parts per million or more.

Compliance Test Results for Food Allergens

Month / Year No. of food samples tested
(Testing parameter: Gluten)
No. of non-compliant samples
March 2013 20 0