Introduction

One of the initiatives set out in the Supplement of the Chief Executive's 2024 Policy Address is to review food safety standards regarding metal content in food under the Food Adulteration (Metallic Contamination) Regulations (the Regulations) with reference to international standards and practices, with a view to formulating legislative amendment proposals and launching public consultation in 2024-25.

The Government conducted a review of the Regulations with a view to better protecting public health, facilitating effective regulation and promoting harmonisation between local and international standards.  The proposed amendments to the Regulations aim to keep abreast of international development on maximum levels (MLs) of metallic contaminants in food.  Twenty-seven new MLs for specified metal in specified food (food pair) are proposed to be added and 9 MLs for existing food pairs are proposed to be updated in the Regulations, with reference to the latest standards of Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex) and major food importing places.  The total number of MLs will increase from 144 to 171 in Part 2 of the Schedule to the Regulations.

Public Consultation (16 December 2024 – 16 February 2025)

• Consultation Document*
• Press release – Public consultation on proposed amendments to Food Adulteration (Metallic Contamination) Regulations launched

*For details regarding the Codex food classification and definitions of food commodities, please refer to the website of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (http://www.fao.org/fao-who-codexalimentarius/codex-texts/list-standards/en/).

Please send your comments by post, facsimile or e-mail to the CFS within the consultation period. Details are as follows –

Consultation Forums

If you wish to attend the consultation forums, please complete and return the attached enrollment form to Communication Resource Unit of the Centre for Food Safety by fax at 2787 3638 or email to communication_resource_assistant@fehd.gov.hk on or before the registration deadline. Please call the Communication Resource Unit of the Centre for Food Safety at 2381 6096 during office hours for any enquiries on the consultation forums.

• Download Enrollment form
• Download powerpoint presentation for the consultation forum

Typhoon and Adverse Weather Arrangement

• If the Hong Kong Observatory still holds Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 8 or above or Black Rainstorm Warning Signal or “extreme conditions” 4 hours before the start of the forum, the forum will be cancelled.

• If Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 8 or above or Black Rainstorm Warning Signal or “extreme conditions” is issued (or will be issued) 2 hours before the forum starts, the forum will also be cancelled.
• If the Hong Kong Observatory issues a forecast or hoists Typhoon Signal No. 8 or above during the forum, the forum will be cancelled immediately.
• If the black rainstorm warning signal is hoisted by the Hong Kong Observatory during the forum, the forum will continue.