Hong Kong's Center for Food Safety has checked more than 16,200 prepackaged food products since the nutrition labeling scheme came into effect on July 1 last year, recording an overall compliance rate of 99.3 percent, said a government official on Friday.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Food Safety Day 2011 and Nutrition Labeling Promotion Award Scheme Award Presentation Ceremony, Secretary for Food and Health York Chow said the scheme has been implemented smoothly, enabling consumers to make informed food choices.

He said it encourages the food trade to apply sound nutrition principles in the formulation of foods, adding that consumers have become increasingly aware of the importance of using nutrition labels in making healthier food choices.

A telephone survey conducted by the Bauhinia Foundation Research Center last month found nearly 80 percent of more than 1,000 interviewees claimed the scheme helped them make healthier food choices.

More than half the interviewees said the scheme boosted their confidence in the nutrient information or claims on prepackaged food.

Chow said emphasis has been placed on youth participation in executing the nutrition labeling publicity strategy, with the topic being integrated into the school curriculum.

During the current academic year, the center and the Education Bureau jointly organized the first Nutrition Labeling Promotion Award Scheme, in which 35 teams from 21 secondary schools took part in creative activities to promote labeling.

Chow said the center plans to launch a two-year enhancement program on nutrition labeling.

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