HONG KONG: PREPACKAGED FOOD The following notification is being circulated in accordance with Article 10.6. G/TBT/Notif. 95.152. 1. Member to Agreement notifying: HONG KONG. If applicable, name of local government involved (Articles 3.2 and 7.2): 2. Agency responsible: Department of Health. 3. Notified under Article 2.9.2. 4. Products covered (HS or CCCN where applicable, otherwise national tariff heading. ICS numbers may be provided in addition, where applicable): Prepackaged food. 5. Title and number of pages of the notified document: Proposed Amendments to the Food and Drugs (Composition and Labelling) Regulations (2 pages). 6. Description of content: Note: Item (b) below is notified under the SPS Agreement. The main proposals are: (a) To require a declaration in percentage by weight of any ingredient of the food where its labelling places special emphasis on the presence or otherwise of that ingredient(s). (b) To introduce a requirement to indicate ``Use by'' dates for those pre-packaged foods which, from the microbiological point of view, are highly perishable and are therefore likely after a short period to constitute an immediate danger to human health. (c) To remove the exemption to indicate minimum durability for food reasonably expected to last for more than 18 months or which is deep frozen. The acceptable wording of best before date will also be standardized as ``Best before'' to be followed by a date. (d) To require food which has been irradiated to be suitably labelled. (e) To provide a composition requirement for skimmed and semi-skimmed milk. 7. Objective and rationale: To update the Regulations in the light of international developments. To strengthen consumer protection. An international standard does not exist ( ). If an international standard exists, whenever possible, identify deviations: The proposals are based primarily on the Codex General Standard for the Labelling of Prepackaged Foods. In addition, a new requirement will be introduced for those prepackaged foods which, from the microbiological point of view, are highly perishable and are therefore likely after a short period to constitute an immediate danger to human health. 8. Relevant documents: The proposed amendments will be published in the Government Gazette of Hong Kong upon enactment. 9. Proposed date of adoption and entry into force: To be enacted in July 1995, after which a nine-month to one-year grace period will be given. To come into force in mid-1996. 10. Final date for comments: 8 June 1995. 11. Texts available from: National enquiry point ( ) or address and telefax number of other body: Department of Health, 18th Floor, Wu Chung House, Wan Chai, Hong Kong (Attn: Hygiene Division) FAX: 852 28933547. (152)

Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0640 19950602\FO-0002)