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Results of the public consultation exercise on genetically modified food



Date Context Summary of development Action
5.1.00 CM Dr Hon TANG Siu-tong moved a motion to urges the Government to draw on the experience of most member states of the European Union and expeditiously legislate for a labelling system for genetically-modified foods, conduct strict examinations and tests on the genetically-modified foods on sale locally and enhance consumers' knowledge of these foods. The motion was passed. [Hansard "Page 218"]
10.1.01 CQ Hon Cyd HO Sau-lan raised a question on "Safety of Food Products Containing Genetically-modified Corn Ingredients" [Hansard "Page 47"]
28.1.02 FSEH The Panel discussed with the Administration the results of the genetically modified (GM) food labelling public consultation exercise and the way forward. [Administration's paper] [Consultation paper]

Development to date presented in information note prepared by the Secretariat. [Background Paper].

5.12.01 CM Hon CHAN Kam-lam moved a motion to urge the Government to conduct a comprehensive review of the existing system, including: (a) imposing penalties for the sale of foods which have passed their durability dates; (b) the arrangements for exemption from labelling under the existing legislation; (c) exploring the feasibility of introducing a "nutritional value" label; (d) expeditiously legislating for the labelling of foods containing genetically modified ingredients; and (e) expeditiously devising a monitoring and labelling system for health foods. The motion was negatived. [Hansard "Page 180"]
12.12.01 CQ Hon Cyd HO Sau-lan raised a question on "Labelling System for Genetically Modified Food" [Hansard "Page 68"]
8.5.02 CQ Hon Cyd HO Sau-lan raised a question on "Genetically Modified Soya Beans" [Hansard "Page 81"]
20.3.03 FSEH The Panel discussed with the Administration the regulation of GM food. The Panel passed a motion urging the Government to draw reference from the experience of the European Union countries and expeditiously introduce legislation to set up a mandatory GM food labeling system. [Administration's paper] [Executive summary on regulatory impact assessment on labelling of GM food]

The Panel also considered the research report on "Genetically modified food labeling" prepared by the Research and Library Services Division of the Secretariat. [Research report]

29.4.03 FSEH The Panel followed up the discussion with the Administration on its proposals on the regulation of GM food and met with deputations on the subject. [Administration's paper] A
18.6.03 CQ Hon Fred LI Wah-ming raised a question on "Food Products Containing Genes that Encode Resistance to Clinically Used Antibiotics" [Hansard "Page 81"]
26.6.03 CM Hon Fred LI Wah-ming moved a motion to urge the Government to expeditiously establish a genetically modified food labelling system for prepackaged food products by adopting a "voluntary first, and then mandatory" approach in order to safeguard consumers' right to know and to choose. The motion was passed. [Hansard "Page 5"]
2.3.05 CQHon Fred LI Wah-ming raised a question on "Genetically-modified Food Labelling System" [Hansard "Page 61"]
26.4.06 CQHon Fred LI Wah-ming raised a question on "Extending Application of Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety to Hong Kong". [Hansard "Page 101"]
9.5.06 FSEH The Panel discussed with the Administration the monitoring of sale of genetically modified food in Hong Kong. [Paper] [Background brief]
13.6.06 FSEH The Panel discussed with the Administration the proposed guidelines for voluntary labeling of genetically modified food. [Paper]
7.2.07 CQ Dr Hon Joseph LEE Kok-long raised a question on "Promoting Organic Diet". [Hansard "page 99"]
7.11.07 CQ Hon Fred LI Wah-ming raised a question on "Genetically-modified Food Labelling Requirements". [Hansard "page 11"]
8.7.08 FSEH The Panel discussed with the Administration the findings of the evaluation on the effectiveness of the guidelines on voluntary labeling of genetically modified food. [Paper] [Background brief prepared by the Secretariat]


  • Centre for Food Safety, Food and Environmental Hygiene Department:
    [Programme area for Genetically modified food]

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