Food Adulteration (Metallic Contamination) Regulations

Introduction

The Food Adulteration (Metallic Contamination) (Amendment) Regulation 2025 (“the Amendment Regulation”) was approved by the Legislative Council through the negative vetting procedure on 30 July 2025.  The Amendment Regulation came into operation on 5 September 2025.

Taking into account the need to allow sufficient time for traders to adapt to the updated maximum levels (MLs), the Amendment Regulation provides a grace period of 18 months, during which it would be legal for any food item to comply wholly with the requirements of either the regulations under Cap. 132V in force immediately before 5 September 2025 or the Amendment Regulation.  All food must comply with the Amendment Regulation starting from 6 March 2027 when the grace period has expired.

Food Adulteration (Metallic Contamination) (Amendment) Regulation 2025

Technical meeting (March 2025 – ongoing)

A series of meetings to discuss with trade and other interested stakeholders on technical issues related to the proposed amendments to Cap. 132V has been arranged.

3rd Meeting (12 September 2025)

2nd Meeting (31 July 2025)

 1st Meeting (20 March 2025)

Public Consultation (16 December 2024 – 16 February 2025)

The public consultation period was ended on 16 February 2025.

Two consultation forums (27 December 2024 and 17 January 2025) on the Proposed Amendments to the Food Adulteration (Metallic Contamination) Regulations have been arranged.