5. Claim Requirements

Beers and RTDs
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

General Food

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.

Category

Alcoholic drinks

No specific prohibited claims for Alcoholic Drinks. 

Product

1) Beer

Same as "Category" (alcoholic drinks) above.

2) Ready-to-drink beverages (mainly Chuhai)

Same as "Category" (alcoholic drinks) above.

5.2 Nutritional Claims

5.2.1 Permitted Claims

General Food

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.

Category

Alcoholic drinks

No specific permitted claims for Alcoholic Drinks.

Product

1) Beer

Same as "Category" (alcoholic drinks) above.

2) Ready-to-drink beverages (mainly Chuhai)

Same as "Category" (alcoholic drinks) above.

5.2.2 Nutritional Claim Registration

General Food

No claim registration is required.

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.

5.3 Health Claims

5.3.1 Permitted Claims

General Food

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.

Category

Alcoholic drinks

No permitted health claims for Alcoholic Drinks.

Product

1) Beer

Same as "Category" (alcoholic drinks) above.

2) Ready-to-drink beverages (mainly Chuhai)

Same as "Category" (alcoholic drinks) above.

5.3.2 Health Claim Registration

General Food

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

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.

5.4 Other Notes or Requirements for Claims

None.

5.5 References

1. Technical Guidance Notes on Nutrition Labelling and Nutrition Claims

https://www.cfs.gov.hk/english/food_leg/files/nl_technical_guidance_e.pdf