Feature Articles

(I) The International Numbering System (INS) for Food Additives

What are food additives?

Food additives are any natural or synthetic chemical substance added to food in its manufacturing or processing which include preservatives, antioxidants, colouring matters and sweeteners. According to the Food and Drugs (Composition and Labelling) Regulations (Cap 132W), food additives do not include vitamins, minerals or other nutrients used for enriching food, or seasoning such as salt, herbs and spices.

Functions of food additives

Different food additives have different functions. Many of them can extend the shelf-life of food with a view to enhancing food safety and minimizing wastage. Some can even improve the organoleptic properties and appearance of food. Consumers can purchase food with stable quality at reasonable prices.

Principles for using food additives

Food manufacturers should observe the following principles when using additives:

1. The food additives being used should present no harm to consumers and should not mislead consumers.
2. The use of food additives must achieve the following objectives:
   1. to preserve the nutritional quality of the food;
   2. to enhance the keeping quality or stability of food or to improve its organoleptic properties;
   3. to facilitate the processing, packaging, transport or storage of food

   provided that these objectives cannot be achieved by other economical and feasible means. Besides, food additives should not be used to disguise the denatured raw materials or the effects of undesirable practices during the course of food manufacturing.

3. All food additives used must comply with the "good manufacturing practice", that is, use food additives only when required and never excessively. Food additives should be treated in the same way as food ingredients to ensure hygiene and food safety.

Regulation on the use of food additives

Food manufactures must ensure that the types and quantity of food additives they intend to use conform to Part V of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance (Cap.132) and its subsidiary legislation (Preservatives in Food Regulations, Colouring Matter in Food Regulations, Sweeteners in Food Regulations, and Food and Drugs (Composition and Labelling) Regulations). The Centre for Food Safety monitors the use of food additives and enforces the relevant legislation.

Why is it necessary to set out information about food additives on food labels?

As some people may have adverse or allergic reactions to certain food additives, it is necessary to enable consumers to avoid unsuitable food by informing them about the food additives used. The Government formulated the Food and Drugs (Composition and Labelling)(Amendment) Regulation 2004 (the Regulation) stipulating that all food additives used and their functional classes must be declared explicitly on the labels of prepackaged food. The Regulation was enacted on 9 July 2004. However, to allow food manufacturers more time to adapt to the new requirements, there was a grace period of 36 months.

What is the International Numbering System (INS)?

The Government appreciates the difficulty of manufacturers in listing the full names of all additives, which are often long and complex, within the limited space of the food label. Therefore, the Regulation allows manufacturers to use the identification numbers under the International Numbering System (INS) for Food Additives, compiled by the Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex)*, instead of the names of food additives. Furthermore, when specifying a food additive in the food, manufacturers are also at liberty to use the prefix "E" or "e" with the INS number as adopted by the European Union under the E-numbering system.

The use of identification numbers simplifies and standardises the way food additives are labelled. This will help consumers to make informed choices without causing extra burden to the trade.

The INS, compiled by Codex, is used for identifying food additives. However, the INS does not include flavours, chewing gum bases, or dietetic and nutritive additives.

Not all chemicals present in the INS are allowed to be used in food for sale in Hong Kong. Manufacturers have to abide by the regulations prescribed in Part V of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance (Cap.132) and its subsidiary legislation.

Classification of Food Additives

Codex has classified food additives into 23 functional classes according to their usages. Consumers can learn the function of an individual food additive from the class it belongs. The 23 functional classes are listed below:-

1. Acid
2. Acidity regulator
3. Anti-caking agent
4. Anti-foaming agent
5. Antioxidant
6. Bulking agent
7. Colour
8. Colour retention agent
9. Emulsifier
10. Emulsifying salt
11. Firming agent
12. Flavour enhancer
13. Flour treatment agent
14. Foaming agent
15. Gelling agent
16. Glazing agent
17. Humectant
18. Preservative
19. Propellant
20. Raising agent
21. Stabilizer
22. Sweetener
23. Thickener

List of Food Additives

For easy reference, the List of Food Additives has three columns, namely "identification numbers", "names of the food additives" and "technical functions". The List is arranged in two orders: (i) numerical order of the identification numbers; and (ii) alphabetical order of the names of the food additives.

Applications of the List of Food Additives and INS

From the identification number(s) shown on a food label, consumers can easily check the food additive(s) used in foods from the List of Food Additives. Here is an example:

According to the List of Food Additives, the identification number 331 stands for sodium citrates. We then know that the food contains sodium citrates and can decide whether we can take the food.

The List of Food Additives is updated regularly. Please visit the websites of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (http://www.fehd.gov.hk) or the Codex (http://www.codexalimentarius.net/download/standards/7/CXG_036e.pdf) for the updated list and relevant information.

* The Codex Alimentarius Commission, an international body formed by the Food and Agriculture Organization and the World Health Organization of the United Nations in 1963, is responsible for developing food related standards. China officially joined Codex in 1986.

(II) Public Consultation on Proposed Amendment to the Preservatives in Food Regulations

To enhance food safety for the protection of public health and consumer interest, the Government regularly reviews the local food legislation to keep it abreast with the latest international development.

(III) Expert Committee on Food Safety

To further strengthen the consultative framework on food safety, Dr. York Chow, the Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food, appointed in September 2006 more than 10 members to the Expert Committee on Food Safety (the Committee) of the Centre for Food Safety (CFS). These members include academics and professionals from Hong Kong, the Mainland and overseas, as well as trade and consumer representatives. They will serve a term of two years with effect from 15 September 2006.

The Committee is to advise the Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene on food safety operational strategies and measures to protect public health, standards and guidelines relating to food safety and food composition and their application in Hong Kong. Moreover, the Committee also advises on the implementation of food safety risk communication and public education programmes as well as new directions for research to be commissioned by the CFS. The Committee held its first meeting in October 2006.

The Committee is chaired by Professor Kwan Hoi-shan, Dean of the Faculty of Science and Professor of Biology of the Chinese University of Hong Kong. He is a well-established academic in food and nutritional science specialising in food science, food microbiology and molecular biotechnology. Members include Mainland and overseas experts. They are Dr. Kan Xue-gui from the Bureau of Health Supervision of the Ministry of Health of the People's Republic of China, Dr. Chua Sin-bin, Director-General and Chief Veterinary Officer of the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore and Dr. Marion Joy Healy, Chief Scientist of the Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ). Local members appointed include Dr. Chan Pui-kwong, Professor Thomas Chan Yan-keung, Mr. Colin KC Cheng, Mrs. Jenny Fung Ma Kit-han, Mr. Peter Johnston, Ms. Connie Lau Yin-hing, Dr. Lau Fei-lung, Dr. Frederick Leung Chi-ching, Dr. Lo King-shun, Dr. Desmond K O'Toole, Professor Jonathan Wong Woon-chung, Dr Raymond Wong Sze-chung, Mr. Simon Wong Ka-wo and Dr. Carrie Willis, Representatives of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department and representatives of the Department of Health.

(IV) Don't Forget Food Safety when Celebrating Christmas

Christmas is approaching and it is time to feast! Takeaways and catering services will be in great demand. To safeguard public health, the trade has to take note of the potential risk in the preparation of party food.

Procurement of Ingredients

Order food, particularly seafood, from reputable suppliers. Retain health certificates issued by the health authorities of the country of origin.

Careful Planning in Food Preparation

Arrange enough stoves, refrigerators and food warming devices required for mass food production. Estimate food preparation time carefully to avoid too advance preparation of food, particularly those perishable or easily contaminated items.

Tips for Food Preparation

• Utensils which come into contact with food should be thoroughly cleansed and sterilized;
• Raw and cooked foods should be kept apart and handled separately to avoid cross contamination;
• Food should be thawed in refrigerator or under cold running water;
• Food should be cooked or reheated thoroughly until its core temperature reaches 75℃ or above;
• Hot-served food should be stored at 60℃ or above and cold dishes in refrigerators at 4℃ or below.
• Food should not be stored in the temperature danger zone (4℃ to 60℃) for more than 4 hours;
• Maintain good personal hygiene. Wash hands with liquid soap for at least 20 seconds before handling food or after using toilets;
• Avoid touching food with bare hands. Use utensils or wear disposable gloves, etc., as far as possible.

Food Delivery

If delivery is required, please note that:

• Deliver the food promptly to avoid prolonged storage at room temperature;
• Containers and vehicles used for food delivery should be clean. Containers should be covered properly;
• Upon delivery, remind customers to keep hot-served food at 60℃ or above and reheat it thoroughly before consumption. Cold dishes should be kept at 4℃ or below;
• Customers should be reminded to consume the food as soon as possible.

Food suspected to be unsafe (e.g. food that is temperature abused, contaminated or rotten) should be discarded immediately and should not be served to customers. The many orders received during the festive seasons entail large amount of food received, stored, prepared, cooked and even displayed within a short time. Therefore, the risk of food safety increases. For example, storing too much food may affect the circulation of cool air inside the refrigerators, and consequentially the storage temperature. Temperature of the refrigerator should be checked regularly and that there should be space between food items for the circulation of cool air.

Food Safety Tips

Smart Tips to Differentiate Various Types of Preserved Fruits

Many people like to snack on preserved fruits such as preserved plums, preserved grapefruits or dried mangoes at home or when they go out. With regard to the recent coverage on the use of preservatives in preserved fruits, let's take a look at relevant stipulations in the Preservatives in Food Regulations (Cap 132BD). Preserved fruits are classified according to their processing methods. The most common types are "crystallized fruits", "glace fruits", "drained fruits", "dried fruits" and "pickles". For glace food, the shelf-life is extended by using syrup which will effect osmosis. For dried food, deterioration is retarded by dehydration under high temperature and low humidity.

Preservatives are common food additives used for inhibiting or retarding the process of deterioration of food. The types and statutory limits of preservatives permitted for use vary according to the physical properties of the food such as its composition, pH value, water content, etc as well as the process and ingredients involved in manufacturing. For example, "dried mangoes" fall within the specified food under Item 31 or 32 of Part 1, Schedule 1 of the Preservatives in Food Regulations, its maximum level of preservatives shall be as follows:

Item	Specified food	Permitted preservative	Parts per million not exceeding
31	Fruit, crystallized, glace or drained	Sulphur dioxide benzoic acid methyl para-hydroxybenzoate ethyl para-hydroxybenzoate propyl para-hydroxybenzoate sorbic acid	100 1000 1000 1000 1000 1000
32	Fruit, dried other than prunes or figs	Sulphur dioxide	2000

As some individuals are allergic to sulphur dioxide that triggers asthmatic attack, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department amended the Food and Drugs (Composition and Labelling) Regulations in 2004, whereby food manufacturers are required to list the food additives used in prepackaged food by its functional class, name or identification number under the International Numbering System for Food Additives on the labels for identification by the public.

Advice to the Trade

• Observe the Preservatives in Food Regulations and the Food and Drugs (Composition and Labelling) Regulations;
• comply with the "Good Manufacturing Practice" and avoid using excessive food additives;
• choose the right kind and appropriate amount of food additives;
• should there be any questions, seek advice from food scientists or the authority concerned;
• check the website of Codex Alimentarius Commission (http://www.codexalimentarius.net/web/jecfa.jsp) for safety evaluation and specifications of food additives.

Readers' Corner

Are there "Fake Eggs" in the Local Market？

There were media reports about "fake eggs" being sold in the Mainland. Are there "fake eggs" in the local market?

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department received complaints about "artificial eggs" during the period from 2004 to June 2006. Investigations were conducted and different egg samples were collected for testing which included testing of protein in the egg white, verification of the egg shell and membrane, etc. Results did not show any abnormalities.

Under the laws of Hong Kong, if any person sells to the prejudice of a purchaser any food which is not of the nature, or not of the substance, or not of the quality, of the food demanded by the purchaser, he shall be guilty of an offence. To safeguard food hygiene and safety, FEHD has a food surveillance programme in place for conducting regular sampling tests on food at the import, wholesale and retail levels.

Advice to the Trade

• Importers should understand fully and comply with the statutory requirements of Hong Kong and should not import substandard food;
• Retailers should ensure that the food they sell is in compliance with the statutory requirements;
• Purchase food from reputable suppliers;
• Check the eggs upon receipt to see if they are normal. If in doubt, contact the supplier for follow-up action.

Activity Highlights

(I) Food Safety Focus

(II) Trade Consultation Forum

(III) Photographs and Sidelights of the Food Safety Day – "Prevention of Cross-contamination 食得安心新「煮」意開心嘉年華"

Food Safety Day — "Prevention of cross-contamination" —— was organised by the Centre for Food Safety (CFS) during the summer times at Plaza Hollywood, Diamond Hill. Here are some photos taken at the event for you to enjoy.

To promote "prevention of cross-contamination" the CFS produced jointly with Commercial Radio 1 a food safety radio programme called "The King of Cookery in Food Business." The 10-episode programme has been uploaded to the webpage of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (http://www.cfs.gov.hk/english/multimedia/multimedia_avr/multimedia_avr_fsar.html) for the public. Meanwhile, a computer game called "The Smart Chef", which made its debut on Food Safety Day, has also been uploaded to the FEHD's webpage (http://www.cfs.gov.hk/tc_chi/multimedia/multimedia_og/multimedia_og_cookgame.html.) Enjoy the game and learn more about food safety.

(IV) International Symposium on Food Safety