5. Claim Requirements

General Foods
Hong Kong

This section provides information on the definition of different types of claims and any restrictions or allowance of claims as well as claim registration processes.

5.1 Overview of Claims [1]

5.1.1 Types & Definitions

Nutrient content claim - means a nutrition claim that describes the energy value or the content level of a nutrient contained in a food.

Nutrition comparative claim - means a nutrition claim that compares the energy value or the content level of a nutrient in different versions of the same food or similar foods.

Nutrient function claim - means a nutrition claim that describes the physiological role of a nutrient in growth, development, and normal functions of the body.

5.1.2 List of Prohibited Claims

Claims of prepackaged food should only be made when there is substantiation of its truthfulness based on 2 principles: 

• When a claim is made on the function of a specific substance(s), the quantity of the substance(s) in the food product must be sufficient to provide the said function.
• The claim should be based on scientific substantiation and scientific consensus.
  

5.2 Nutritional Claims

5.2.1 Permitted Claims

Claims of prepackaged food should only be made when there is substantiation of its truthfulness based on 2 principles: 

• When a claim is made on the function of a specific substance(s), the quantity of the substance(s) in the food product must be sufficient to provide the said function.
• The claim should be based on scientific substantiation and scientific consensus.
  

5.2.2 Nutritional Claim Registration

No claims registration is required.

5.3 Health Claims

5.3.1 Permitted Claims

Claims of prepackaged food should only be made when there is substantiation of its truthfulness based on 2 principles: 

• When a claim is made on the function of a specific substance(s), the quantity of the substance(s) in the food product must be sufficient to provide the said function.
• The claim should be based on scientific substantiation and scientific consensus.
  

5.3.2 Health Claim Registration

No Claims registration is required. The use of health claims must follow the criteria described in Section 5.3.1 above.

5.4 Other Notes or Requirements for Claims

None.

5.5 References 

1. Technical Guidance Notes on Nutrition Labelling and Nutrition Claims

nl_technical_guidance_e.pdf (cfs.gov.hk)