Make Better Choices Use Nutrition Labels

Monthly Report on Results of Compliance Test
for Nutrition Labelling and Declaration of Allergens
under the Food and Drugs (Composition and Labelling) Regulations

(for the month of June 2012)

The Food and Drugs (Composition and Labelling) Regulations (the Regulations) require all applicable prepackaged foods to list out the ingredients, the content of energy plus seven core nutrients, namely, carbohydrates, protein, total fat, saturated fat, trans fat, sodium and sugars (commonly known as "1 + 7"), and regulate any associated nutrition claims. The ingredients to be listed include, among others, any of the substances specified in section 2(4E) of Schedule 3 to the Regulations which are known to cause allergy in some individuals, if present.

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) has been testing, among other things, nutrients and allergens in prepackaged food samples for compliance under the Regulations. Results of compliance test since January 2012 have been published on the CFS website in the form of monthly reports, which include details of the food samples with discrepancies between labelled and tested nutrient values. Results of those food samples with food allergens detected but undeclared are also published from 1 April 2012 onwards.

(I) Nutrition Labelling

Compliance Test Results* under Nutrition Labelling Scheme

Month / Year No. of food samples tested No. of non-compliant samples#
June 2012 32 8

*Tests may cover "1+7" or any combination of these core nutrients.
# One or more discrepancies between the declared nutrient values and test results were detected.

Details of non-compliant samples

MonthM Nature / Name of sampleM Testing parameterM Declared value on nutrition labelM Testing result(s)M
June 1. Juice / BERRI Apple Juice 300mL 1 + 7 Protein
0.1 g/100 mL

Protein
Not detected

(Values for: Energy, Total Fat, Saturated fatty acids, Trans fatty acids, Carbohydrates, Sugars and Sodium were found satisfactory)
2. Canned Vegetable /
Marks & Spencer Carrots 300g		 Sodium Sodium
0 mg/100 g		 Sodium
26 mg/100 g
3. Snacks / Green Tree Seaweed Rice Cracker 100g 1 + 7

Sugars
1 g/14 g

Sodium
34 mg/14 g

Sugars
13.6 g /100g

Sodium
430 mg/100 g

(Values for: Energy, Protein, Total Fat, Saturated fatty acids, Trans fatty acids and Carbohydrates were found satisfactory)
4. Beverage / Kwang Dong Bokbunja Drink 100mL 1 + 7

Protein
1g / 100mL

Sodium
15 mg/100 mL

Protein
Not detected

Sodium
30 mg/100 mL

(Values for: Energy, Total Fat, Saturated fatty acids, Trans fatty acids, Carbohydrates and Sugars were found satisfactory)
5. Noodle / Gourmet Alley Premium Scallop Flavor Noodle 400g 1 + 7 Total fat
0 g/100 g

Total fat
1.6 g/100 g

(Values for: Energy, Protein, Saturated fatty acids, Trans fatty acids, Carbohydrates, Sugars and Sodium were found satisfactory)
6. Snacks / Calbee Choco Puffy 245g 1 + 7 Saturated fatty acids
0 g/40 g

Saturated fatty acids
2 g/100 g

(Values for: Energy, Protein, Total Fat, Trans fatty acids, Carbohydrates, Sugars and Sodium were found satisfactory)
7. Beverage / Pureplus Blueberry Drink 180mL 1 + 7 Sodium
16 mg/180 mL

Sodium
18 mg/100 mL

(Values for: Energy, Protein, Total Fat, Saturated fatty acids, Trans fatty acids, Carbohydrates and Sugars were found satisfactory)
8. Condiment / Lea & Perrins Worcestershire Sauce 150mL Sodium Sodium
832 mg/100 mL		 Sodium
1300 mg/100 mL

Tolerance Limits for Declaration of Energy Level or Nutrient Content on Nutrition Label

Energy/Nutrients Tolerance Limits
Energy, Total fat, Saturated fatty acids, Trans fatty acids, Cholesterol, Sodium, Sugars ≤ 120% declared value
Protein, Polyunsaturated fatty acids, Monounsaturated fatty acids, Carbohydrates, Starch, Dietary fibre, Soluble fibre, Insoluble fibre, individual component of fibre ≥ 80% declared value
Vitamins and minerals (other than Vitamin A, Vitamin D and added vitamins and minerals) ≥ 80% declared value
Vitamin A and Vitamin D (including added ones) 80% - 180% declared value
Added vitamins and minerals (other than Vitamin A and Vitamin D) ≥ declared value

Source: Technical Guidance Notes on Nutrition Labelling and Nutrition Claims (see table 3)
http://www.cfs.gov.hk/english/food_leg/files/nl_technical_guidance_e.pdf

Remarks: The Centre for Food Safety has taken follow-up action on the non-compliant food products, which include issuing enquiry letter and warning letter to the traders concerned for rectification. Traders who fail to rectify the irregularities within the period specified will be prosecuted.

(II) Declaration of Food Allergens

The Regulations require declaration of any of the eight types of substances which are known to cause allergy in some individuals, if present, in the list of ingredients of pre-packaged food. These substances are: cereals containing gluten; crustacea and crustacean products; eggs and egg products; fish and fish products; peanuts, soyabeans and their products; milk and milk products (lactose included); tree nuts and nut products; and sulphite in concentrations of 10 parts per million or more.

Compliance Test Results for Food Allergens

Month / Year No. of food samples tested
(Testing parameter : Hazelnut)		 No. of non-compliant samples
June 2012 20 0