Hong Kong is an efficient platform for food and beverages trade in the region. Businesses can introduce unique foods from around the world to both Hong Kong and mainland consumers by selling through local distribution channels or participating in trade exhibitions held in the city. Overseas companies importing food and beverages to Hong Kong must comply with relevant local regulations.

Chinese Mainland has actively encouraged imports in recent years, resulting in many different high-quality imported foods winning favour with consumers, and creating substantial market opportunities. While the mainland market offers great potential, food exporters must comply with the relevant laws and regulations, including food safety standards, enterprise registration and food labelling. This article highlights some of the key points that exporters should be aware of.

On 8 September, the National Health Commission and the National Administration for Market Regulation issued a joint announcement regarding the implementation of digital labels for pre-packaged food.

In accordance with the Interim Measures for the Administration of Product Quality Supervision and Random Sampling Inspections (Order No. 18 [2019] of the State Administration for Market Regulation), the Guangdong Administration for Market Regulation released implementation rules for quality supervision and random inspections of eight categories of food-related products on 19 August.

Mexico has further extended from 31 December 2025 to 1 January 2028 a temporary flexibility adopted within the framework of the labelling requirements for pre-packaged food and non-alcoholic beverages.

Thailand has regulated two types of food contact plastic bags under two national standards. In mid-2024, Thailand consulted over the use of TIS 1207-25XX (20XX) ‘Plastic bags for food’ and TIS 3022-25XX (20XX) ‘Microwavable food plastic bag for reheating’ as mandatory national standards for these food contact materials (FCM) and articles (SafeGuardS 108/24).

Tapping one of tourism’s fastest-growing and highest-spending segments, Hong Kong is carving out an identity as a Muslim-friendly destination.

Malaysia is widely regarded as a global Halal food hub, given its status as a leading Halal food exporter and importer. During the recent field trip to Malaysia, the HKTDC Research interviewed various Halal food industry players, including government bodies and private sector organisations in the country, with a view to exploring opportunities for Hong Kong businesses in this industry.

The Food and Drug Administration continues to detain a broad range of food and other regulated products from Mainland China and Hong Kong as part of its mission to prevent the importation of food, drugs, biologics, cosmetics, medical devices and radiation-emitting electronic products that fail to meet the requirements of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.

Mainland restaurant chains are meeting international demand by cultivating the mid-to-high-end market, overturning their fast-food stereotyping.