Why is the food labeling law so controversal (Part 2)

According to the latest information released by the Department of Health, cancers, cardiovascular diseases and diabetes are ranked high among the list of top 10 kills in Hong Kong. Unhealthy diet and sedentary lifestyle are to blame for these non-infectious diseases. Through the enactment of the new law, the government intends to avert the current chaotic situition in food labeling. The new law makes standardized food labeling mandatory. By doing this, consumers will be better informed of the nutritional values of the packaged food. Food labeling law is only the first step, further promotion of healthy eating habit via public education is the key to changing people's habit of eating unhealthy food.

Just like other well-developed countries, the major health problems facing Hong Kong people are those non-infectious diseases, which are diet related. Making health information, for instance, nutritional values of packaged food, available to the public should not be excused from the agenda of any responsible government.

A government caring for the welfare of people should place public health at top priority with no room of concession. Concerns raised by the business sectors are understandable, but are their claims supported by sound evidence? They worry that about 15000 food items will be off the shelves after the enactment of the law. In fact, there will be two-year grace period for food importers to comply with the law. Opponents also point out that contents of food labels stipulated by the law are too unique and may make the fulfilment of legal requirement too difficult. The truth is that the contents are based on the requirements of other Western countries. In addition, most of the imported food items are shipped by containers. Packaging and labelling are done in mainland China and the biochemical tests of food samples only cost a few thousand Hong Kong dollars. So it should not be a problem even for importers of food with low sales volume.

The food industry proposed that food sold at low volume (less than 30000 ) and with health claim should be exempted from complying with the law. The danger of this idea is that the industry might use the loophole to put more items with misleading labels on the market. Here is one example of how this label is so misleading: Biscuits claimed to be rich in dietary fibres actually contain saturated fats with concentration far exceeding the standard set out by the health department.

As an international city, Hong Kong should have her public health policy in line with the world standard. The new food labeling law should meet the need of people who are becoming more aware of the importance of healthy diet. There should be no excuse for the government to do nothing on safeguarding our rights to gain access to authentic information on food nutrition for which we deserve.