News from AAFC’s Market Access Secretariat
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (HKSARG) has launched a public consultation process on proposed amendments to the Food Adulteration (Metallic Contamination) Regulations (Cap. 132V). The public consultation period will remain open until February 16, 2025.
The proposed amendments aim to update Hong Kong’s maximum levels (MLs) for metallic contaminants in food to align with international standards, including those set by the Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex), as well as standards in mainland China and South Korea. Key proposed changes include:
- Increasing the total number of MLs from 144 to 177, with 27 new MLs for specific metals in designated food items and updates to 9 MLs for lead.
- Adding or updating MLs for lead, cadmium, and methylmercury in foods such as grape juice, edible fungi, fish, and sugar products.
- Introducing a new ML for methylmercury in fish balls/fish cakes, reflecting their high consumption in Hong Kong.
- Retaining the existing ML for lead in wine at 0.2 mg/kg, which differs from Codex standards.
- Setting a new ML for lead in maple syrups at 0.5mg/kg, with reference to mainland China and South Korea standards.
The Hong Kong Centre for Food Safety (CFS) has emphasized that these amendments are not expected to significantly impact food trade. However, Canadian stakeholders are encouraged to carefully review the proposed changes and how they might impact exports to Hong Kong.
For additional details, please refer to the Hong Kong Government Consultation Document.
We strongly encourage Canadian industry stakeholders to provide their comments and questions to the Market Access Secretariat (MAS) by February 7, 2025. Feedback can be sent to: aafc.mas-sam.aac@agr.gc.ca. MAS will work with our Canadian Consulate in Hong Kong to submit comments received from Canadian stakeholders to the Hong Kong CFS.