1. Definition & classification
As per Cap. 612 Food Safety Ordinance, aquatic product refers to fish, shellfish, amphibian or any other form of aquatic life other than a bird, mammal or reptile. Based on the definition, all aquatic products are classified into eight kinds:
Wild-caught coral reef fish (live and unprocessed);
Other marine fish (live and unprocessed);
Freshwater fish (live and unprocessed);
Crustaceans, molluscs (live and unprocessed);
Puffer fish (processed and unprocessed);
Other edible aquatic products (live and unprocessed);
Dried seafood;
Other processed aquatic products.
2. Competent authority
Competent authority | Responsibility |
Center of Food Safety (CFS) | CFS is the food safety authority of Hong Kong. Its mission is to ensure that food is safe and fits for consumption through tripartite collaboration among the government, food merchant, and consumers. |
Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) | FEHD is responsible for implementing territory-wide policies of food safety control, enforcing the food legislation and issuing the import licenses. |
3. Market access approval
3.1 Importer/distributor registration
Food importers, through close liaison with exporting countries, are responsible for ensuring that aquatic products comply with Hong Kong legislation. Any person who carries on food importation/distribution business shall register with Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene (DFEH) as a food importer/food distributor. Detailed information can be found at Guide to the Registration Scheme for Food Importers and Food Distributors.
3.2 Health certificate
Since marine products, being more liable to bacteriological or chemical contamination in the harvesting zone or handling process, are considered as high-risk food items, FEHD strongly encourages importers to obtain health certificates issued by health authorities of countries of origin to accompany their imports certifying that the marine products concerned are fit for human consumption.
3.3 Inspection and quarantine
When a consignment of aquatic products arrives at entry points of Hong Kong, it may be subject to inspection or sampling by FEHD in risk assessment basis.
4. Product compliance
4.1 Product requirements
Imported aquatic products shall comply with hygienic standards in Hong Kong.
Items | Requirements |
Maximum residue limits (MRLs) for pesticides | Comply with relevant provisions in Cap. 132CM Pesticide Residues in Food Regulation |
Maximum residue limits (MRLs) for veterinary drugs | Comply with relevant provisions in Cap. 139N Public Health (Animals and Birds) (Chemical Residues) Regulation |
Maximum permitted levels (MRLs) of preservatives | Comply with relevant provisions in Cap. 132BD Preservatives in Food Regulation |
Maximum concentration of harmful substances | Comply with relevant provisions in Cap. 132AF Harmful Substances in Food Regulations |
Maximum levels of heavy metals | Comply with relevant provisions in Cap. 132V Food Adulteration (Metallic Contamination) Regulations |
Coloring matter | Any raw and unprocessed meat, game, poultry, fish, fruit, or vegetable intended for human consumption that is being sold shall not have any added coloring matter on or in it, except for the purpose of marking. |
4.2 Label
The labeling of meat products shall comply with food labeling provisions stated in Cap. 132W Food and Drugs (Composition and Labeling) Regulations, and must be in either English or Chinese, or both.
Nutrition labeling can be exempted for meat, marine or fresh water fish or any other form of aquatic life commonly used for human consumption meeting the following conditions:
(a) in a raw state;
(b) packed in a container which contains no other ingredient;
(c) no other ingredient added.
* Global Food Compliance Service
We provide various market entry services to help stakeholders better understand exporting requirements, establish business and secure a competitive place to facilitate trade development.
Covered Countries
China, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, United States, European Union, Australia, New Zealand etc.
Our Services
Food Ingredient Review
Label Review
Product Registration
Regulatory Consultation
Monitoring, Training and customized report
Please feel free to contact us via food@chemlinked.com if you need any help.
