New requirements on regulatory of prepackaged konjac-containing jelly confectionery to take effect on April 1
A spokesman for the Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department said today (March 31) that the Food and Drugs (Composition and Labelling) (Amendment) Regulation 2025 (Amendment Regulation), passed by the Legislative Council by negative vetting on August 20, 2025, will take effect tomorrow (April 1). The Amendment Regulation prohibits the sale of mini-cup konjac-containing jelly confectionery with a height or width not exceeding 45 millimetres in Hong Kong. In addition, other prepackaged konjac jelly products must be labelled with choking warning statements on their packaging, thereby strengthening regulation of prepackaged mini-cup-shaped konjac-containing jelly confectionery.
Before the Amendment Regulation takes effect, the CFS had already carried out preparatory work last year, including holding trade meetings and issuing guidelines to facilitate the trade's understanding of and compliance with the relevant requirements. The CFS has also stepped up market surveillance to monitor the situation and remind the trade to adhere to the new regulatory requirements.
The new regulatory requirements include:
(i) Jelly confectionery that is prepackaged food and that is packed in a mini-cup-shaped container must not contain konjac if the height or width of the container does not exceed 45mm; and
(ii) The outermost layer of packaging for sale of jelly confectionery that is prepackaged food and that contains konjac must be clearly and legibly marked with the following words in both Chinese and English:
"Caution: Do not swallow whole. Elderly and children must consume under supervision."
The above words must be marked in a conspicuous position on the packaging. They must be underlined and marked in dark colour on a light-coloured background or in light colour on a dark-coloured background; or marked in red text on a white or yellow background.
The CFS spokesman said, according to the Codex Alimentarius Commission, konjac is a safe food additive. However, due to the unique product design and firm texture of mini-cup konjac jellies, improper consumption may increase the risk of choking, particularly for children and the elderly.
The CFS consulted the Expert Committee on Food Safety, the Panel on Food Safety and Environmental Hygiene of the Legislative Council and the Advisory Council on Food and Environmental Hygiene, as well as engaged the trade through trade meetings and consultation forums; and listened to trade comments.
The CFS has set up a dedicated webpage (www.cfs.gov.hk/english/whatsnew/whatsnew_fstr/whatsnew_fstr_regulation_of_konjac-containing_jelly_confectionery.html) to facilitate the public and trade to access more information. The CFS has also translated relevant health advice into multiple languages, allowing ethnic minority communities to access and understand the information.
The CFS will step up surveillance and continue to collaborate with stakeholders to enhance publicity.
The Food and Drugs (Composition and Labelling) (Amendment) Regulation 2025 (Amendment Regulation) will take effect tomorrow (April 1). The Amendment Regulation prohibits the sale of mini-cup konjac-containing jelly confectionery with a height or width not exceeding 45 millimetres in Hong Kong. The Centre for Food Safety of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department carried out preparatory work last year, including holding trade meetings and issuing guidelines, to facilitate the trade's understanding of and compliance with the relevant requirements. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
