Hong Kong: Regulating Edible Oil

This report provides an update on the Hong Kong government’s earlier intention to regulate edible oil and draws U.S. industry’s attention to Hong Kong’s setting of the maximum level of certain substances in these products. Instead of setting up a new regulation specifically for edible oil along with mandatory certification, the Hong Kong government finally decided to regulate metallic contaminants (arsenic and lead) and harmful substances (erucic acid, aflatoxins and benzo[a]pyrene) in edible fats and oils through legislative amendments of two existing regulations. In addition, mandatory certification, which was initially proposed, was dropped. While Hong Kong has already set up the standard for arsenic and lead in edible fats and oils, it is now in the process of setting up standards for erucic acid, aflatoxin, and benzo[a]pyrene. U.S. industry may want to express their concerns, if any, to the Hong Kong government via the Agricultural Trade Office.

Hong Kong: Regulating Edible Oil