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 2019)

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 2019 40 7

*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
*Remarks 1,2
Testing parameter Declared value on nutrition label Testing result(s)

March 2019

Nong Shim Sumi Honey Mustard Flavor Potato Chip (85g)

Sweeteners

Not declared on the product's food label that contain permitted sweeteners (Sucralose & Steviol Glycosides)

Permitted sweeteners, (Sucralose & Steviol Glycosides) detected

March 2019

Select Tuna Chunks In Extra Virgin Olive Oil (185g)

Sodium

Sodium
280mg/100g

Sodium
540mg/100g

March 2019

Yamamoto Aojiru 22s (66g)

Carbohydrate

Carbohydrate 1.44g/3g
(i.e. 46.67g/100g)

Carbohydrate
14g/100g

March 2019

Casino Lobster Bisque (400g)

Saturated Fatty Acids

Saturated Fatty Acids 0.1g/100g

Saturated Fatty Acids 0.87g/100g

Total Fat

Total Fat
1.6g/100g

Total Fat
5.8g/100g

March 2019

Calbee fruit granola Calbee Furugura (800g)

Sugar

Sugar
0.8g/11.3g
(i.e. 7.08g/100g)

Sugar
11.3g/100g

March 2019

Kirin Supplement apple 500ml PET
(500ml)

Sugar

Sugar
0g/100ml

Sugar
3.5g/100ml

March 2019

Blesscuit Bakery Passion Fruit and Mango Cookies (8 pieces)

Sodium

Sodium
45mg/100g

Sodium
130mg/100g

Dietary Fibre

Dietary Fibre
4.9g/100g

Dietary Fibre
2g/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

(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; crustacean 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: Soyabenas )

No. of non-compliant samples received in March
March 2019 10 0