CFS webpage elaborates on new import control measures to be adopted over Japanese food

Following the earlier announcement by the Government about its plan to implement further import control measures for Japanese food once the Japanese side commences the discharge of nuclear wastewater, a spokesman for the Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department said today (July 14) that the CFS has included on its webpage information and frequently asked questions and answers (FAQ) related to the new measures to facilitate the food trade's understanding and timely preparation.

The spokesman said, "The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government currently plans to prohibit the import of all aquatic products originating from 10 metropolis/prefectures, namely Tokyo, Fukushima, Chiba, Tochigi, Ibaraki, Gunma, Miyagi, Niigata, Nagano and Saitama, once the Japanese side commences the discharge of wastewater. These aquatic products include all live, frozen, chilled, dried, or otherwise preserved aquatic products, sea salt and raw or processed seaweeds."

The FAQ on the CFS webpage cover information on the types of aquatic products to be prohibited under the new measures, and whether the measures apply to aquatic products that originate from non-regulated prefectures and then are transshipped to the regulated metropolis/prefectures before importing into Hong Kong, as well as aquatic products that have been shipped or packed prior to the implementation of the new measures.

The spokesman stressed that the existing import control measures for non-aquatic products from Japan will be maintained after the new measures come into effect and that the new and existing measures will be implemented in parallel. The CFS will update the FAQ in a timely manner in response to the latest situation regarding Japan's discharge plan of nuclear wastewater and relevant risk assessments. For more information, the trade and members of the public may refer to the webpage.

Ends/Friday, July 14, 2023