Press Releases

SFH on powdered formula export restriction

Following is the transcript of remarks made by the Secretary for Food and Health, Dr Ko Wing-man, after attending a public function today (September 7):

Reporter: Is the restriction going to stay forever?

Secretary for Food and Health: It's never the Government's intention to have the restriction (on powdered formula) as a permanent feature in our legislature. However, we need to closely monitor the situation. The restriction can only be removed when we are confident that the supply chain can function smoothly to ensure an adequate supply of powdered formula to our babies.

Reporter: Is there a timeframe when you will lift the restriction, like a month or a year, because the longer you (take to) replace it, the longer some free market principles might be affected.

Secretary for Food and Health: Let me reiterate again that the most important criteria for us to consider how long we will continue the restriction, is that when the supply chain can be improved to the extent that we are fully confident that, even without the restriction, there should be no difficulties for local parents to buy adequate powdered formula for their babies.

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)

Ends/Monday, September 7, 2015
Issued at HKT 17:46

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