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The Nutrition Labelling (NL) Scheme, which came into effect on July 1 last year, has been implemented smoothly during its first year.
As at June 24, the Centre for Food Safety (CFS) had checked more than 16 200 prepackaged food products, with an overall compliance rate of 99.3 per cent.
The remarks were made by the Secretary for Food and Health, Dr York Chow, when he was speaking at the opening ceremony of the Food Safety Day 2011 cum "Live it, Use it" NL Promotion Award Scheme Award Presentation Ceremony today (July 8).
"While the NL Scheme enables consumers to make informed food choices, it encourages the food trade to apply sound nutrition principles in the formulation of foods," Dr Chow said.
"To reap the benefits of the scheme, the CFS launched a three-year Publicity and Education Campaign in 2008. Consumers have become increasingly aware of the importance of making use of the NL information in making healthier food choices," he added.
According to a telephone survey conducted by the Bauhinia Foundation Research Centre last month, nearly 80 per cent of over 1 000 interviewees indicated that implementation of the NL Scheme and regulation of nutrient claims had helped them make healthier food choices.
Over 50 per cent of the interviewees said the NL Scheme had boosted their confidence in the nutrient information or claims on prepackaged food.
Dr Chow said emphasis has been placed on youth participation in executing the NL publicity strategy.
"NL and relevant topics have been integrated into the school curriculum at different levels with the co-ordination of the Task Force on NL Education and the active collaboration of the Curriculum Development Institute of the Education Bureau," he said.
During the current academic year, the CFS and the Education Bureau jointly organised for the first time the "Live It, Use It" NL Promotion Award Scheme.
Under the scheme, a total of 35 teams from 21 secondary schools took part in various creative activities to promote NL.
Today's award presentation ceremony was a recognition of their efforts and participation. Students shared their experiences and accomplishments with their counterparts and guests through live presentations, slide shows and the display of posters.
Dr Chow said that as behavioural changes required long-term efforts, the CFS planned to launch a two-year enhancement programme on NL to consolidate the work on motivating behavioural changes among the public at large.
Other officials officiating at the event included the Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene, Mr Clement Leung; the Controller of the CFS, Dr Constance Chan; and the Principal Assistant Secretary for Education (Curriculum Development), Dr Cheung Kwok-wah.
Ends/Friday, July 8, 2011
Issued at HKT 17:40
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