4. Labeling Requirements
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4. Labeling Requirements
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Beers and RTDs
Hong Kong
This section provides information on labeling requirements and the label approval process.
4.1 Mandatory Labeling Parameters
General Food
Under Schedule 3 of the Food and Drugs (Composition and Labeling) Regulations (Cap. 132W) (the Regulations) [1], prepackaged foods are required to be marked or labeled with the following information:
- Name or designation of the food
- List of ingredients
- Indication of "best before" or "use by" date
- Statement of special conditions for storage or instructions for use
- Name and address of manufacturer or packer
- Count, weight or volume; and(g) appropriate language
The requirements on nutrition labeling and nutrition claims of prepackaged food, including those on energy value and nutrient content of food, as well as the conditions for making nutrition claims, are provided in Schedule 5 of Cap. 132W [1].
Best Before Indication
As far as the requirements for the indication of durability are concerned, the following examples are considered acceptable:
- 年Y 月M 日D
- Y年 D日 M月
- 日dd 月mm 年yy
- y年 m月 d日
- Y年 M月 D日
- DD日 MM月 YY年
The day shall be indicated by the words "DD", "dd", "D" or "d" in English lettering and "日" in Chinese characters; the month shall be indicated by the words "MM", "mm", "M" or "m" in English lettering and "月" in Chinese character; and the year shall be indicated by the words "YY", "yy", "Y" or "y" in English lettering and "年" in Chinese character.
Category
Alcoholic drinks
Beverages with an alcohol content of more than 1.2 percent but less than 10 percent as determined under section 53 of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (Cap. 109) [2] are exempt from the labeling requirements listed for “General Food” above except for the indication of "best before" or "use by" date [1].
Wines, liqueur wines, sparkling wines, aromatized wines, fruit wines, sparkling fruit wines, and other drinks with an alcoholic strength by volume of 10% or more remain as determined under section 53 of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (Cap. 109) [2] are exempt from all labeling requirements listed for “General Food” above.
In addition, Alcohol content must be labeled on every container of liquor, any liquid that contains more than 1.2% of ethyl alcohol by volume, that is imported to, or manufactured in, Hong Kong for local consumption.
If the liquor is imported into Hong Kong and not moved to a warehouse, the container must bear the alcohol content when the liquor is removed from the ship, aircraft, train, or vehicle on which it is imported.
Product
1) Beer
Drinks with an alcoholic strength by volume of more than 1.2% but less than 10% as determined under section 53 of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (Cap. 109) [2] are exempted from all labeling requirements listed under “General Food” above except for the indication of "best before" or "use by" date [1].
More labeling information can be provided as voluntary information. For instance, indicating the alcohol content on the label is recommended.
2) Ready-to-drink beverages (mainly Chuhai)
Same as beer.
4.2 Languages
General Food
Labels may be in English and/or Chinese. However, the Best Before date must be shown in both English and Chinese, regardless of the rest of the label.
For other label information, there is no strict requirement to include both languages. That said, if a company chooses to use a bilingual label, then both the name of the food and the list of ingredients must appear in both English and Chinese [3].
Category
Alcoholic drinks
Same as "General Food" above.
Product
1) Beer
Same as "Category" (alcoholic drinks) above.
2) Ready-to-drink beverages (mainly Chuhai)
Same as "Category" (alcoholic drinks) above.
4.3 Mandatory Information on Stickers
General Food
Yes, it is acceptable to capture mandatory labeling information on an additional sticker.
Category
Alcoholic drinks
It is acceptable to capture mandatory labeling information on an additional sticker.
Product
1) Beer
Same as "Category" (alcoholic drinks) above.
2) Ready-to-drink beverages (mainly Chuhai)
Same as "Category" (alcoholic drinks) above.
4.4 Product Legal Name
Product
1) Beer
Product legal name is not part of the mandatory labeling for Beer. If provided on the label, “Beer” or a more descriptive name can be used.
2) Ready-to-drink beverages (mainly Chuhai)
Product legal name is not part of the mandatory labeling for Ready-to-drink beverages. If provided on the label, “Liquor, alcoholic liquor, spirituous liquor or spirit” or a more descriptive name can be used.
4.5 Product-specific Labeling Statements
Category
Alcoholic drinks
Indication of durability.
Product
1) Beer
Same as "Category" (alcoholic drinks) above.
2) Ready-to-drink beverages (mainly Chuhai)
Same as "Category" (alcoholic drinks) above.
4.6 Authority Approval
General Food
No approval of the label is required.
Category
Alcoholic drinks
No approval of the label is required.
Product
1) Beer
Same as "Category" (alcoholic drinks) above.
2) Ready-to-drink beverages (mainly Chuhai)
Same as "Category" (alcoholic drinks) above.
4.7 Additional Notes on Labeling
None.
4.8 References
1. Schedule 3 to the Food and Drugs (Composition and Labelling) Regulations (Cap. 132W)
https://www.elegislation.gov.hk/hk/cap132W?xpid=ID_1438402696847_001
2. Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (Cap. 109)
https://www.elegislation.gov.hk/hk/cap109
3. Centre for Food Safety_FAQ on Food Labelling
https://www.cfs.gov.hk/english/faq/faq_03.html
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