Hong Kong: Agricultural Biotechnology Annual

  |   Attaché Report (GAIN)   |   HK2022-0081

In the past year, Hong Kong did not have any policy changes to regulations pertaining to genetically engineered (GE) products, while monitoring the development of synthetic biology. Hong Kong does not maintain specific regulations for GE products, which are subject to the same food regulations of conventional foods. However, Hong Kong does maintain production and import controls on living modified organisms. Hong Kong does not impose barriers on microbial biotech ingredients/foods. In 2021, Hong Kong launched its first vegan lab-developed ice cream, containing Perfect Day’s non-dairy protein derived from a GE microbe. Impossible Foods, which contains soy leghemoglobin (also produced from a GE microbe), has also enjoyed access to the Hong Kong market for many years. In addition, a Hong Kong company is developing lab-grown non-genetically engineered seafood products, with planned commercialization by the end of 2023.

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