GS1 HK’s Food Safety Forum 2024 highlighted the effective adoption of digital technologies to ensure food safety and sustainability

HONG KONG, 23 August 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The 10^th The GS1 Hong Kong Food Safety Forum concluded successfully today. More than 200 participants from the food and catering industry attended in person. Diane WongSecretary of State for Environment and Ecology of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, opened the event as guest of honour. Mr. Anthony LiDeputy Minister for Environment and Ecology (Food) of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Hon. Peter ShiuLegislative Council (Wholesale and Retail), was also on hand to present the award to 31 outstanding Quality Food Scheme companies, including the new Quality Food Scheme ESG, which was introduced this year.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has found that approximately 3,300 tons of food waste, or about 30% of all household garbage, is sent to landfills every day. This is neither sustainable nor environmentally harmful, as it depletes limited landfill space.⁽¹⁾Under the theme “Reimagining our future: Where food safety and sustainability meet”, this year’s GS1 HK Food Safety Forum focuses on the challenges of the local food supply chain and the sustainable development of the food sector ecosystem.

The guest of honour of the event, MS. Diane Wongsaid in opening remarks: “Advanced technology plays an important role in food safety and sustainability. It can help protect the environment and improve traceability throughout the food supply chain. Advanced technology can also help reduce food loss and waste by improving storage, handling and distribution practices. We hope that the food industry can continue to explore how the effective adoption of international standards and technologies can help address challenges in food traceability and safety and also promote sustainable development of the food safety system. The Government will continue to review existing policies and measures to ensure that food safety and hygiene standards are met and consumers in Hong Kong have access to safe and quality food.”

Building a safe and sustainable food ecosystem using technology

Mister. Keith WuChairman of the Food and Beverage Industry Advisory Board of GS1 HK, emphasized the importance of sustainability of the local food ecosystem in his welcoming speech: “Consumer behavior has changed significantly and sustainability has become more important in purchasing decisions. Also, more and more regulations on ESG and sustainability are being introduced worldwide, making sustainability no longer a choice but a business imperative, just like food safety. ‘Traceability’ and ‘Transparency’ are always the essential pillars to achieve food safety and sustainability goals. Food industry stakeholders have a shared responsibility to continuously strive for these goals.”

He cited GS1 HK’s “1QR,” a QR code with GS1 Digital Link standard, as a good way to promote food safety and sustainability. Retailers can scan the “1QR” at the checkout and see the best-before or sell-by date. This allows expired food to be rejected at the checkout and those close to expiration to be sold at a bargain price to reduce food waste.

On the other hand, consumers can simply scan the “1QR” with a smartphone to access information such as nutritional values, industry certifications, allergy information, etc., but also sustainability details such as material origin, carbon footprint and recycling method, helping to build consumer trust and connection.

Senior Executives of the Data Literacy Association, FrieslandCampina (Hong Kong) Ltd., Kerry Logistics (HK) Limited, Maxim’s Caterers Ltd., Swire Coca-Cola HK, Tai Po Chun Hing Ltd., Uni-China Group and Wong & Associates Global Ltd. shared their insights at the forum and explored how the effective adoption of international standards and digital technologies can help the industry ensure food safety and promote a sustainable future.

The new “Quality Food Scheme ESG”

The new Quality Food Scheme ESG has awarded 17 companies that are mainly certified according to the GS1 Global Traceability Standard (GTS), the MSCI ESG indices and the⁽²⁾ and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs)⁽³⁾ etc. The program aims to encourage companies not only to make efforts on food traceability and safety, but also to implement ESG practices.

The Quality Food Scheme has been further developed since 2015 and now includes the Quality Food Scheme and Quality Food Scheme Plus. The two schemes have recognised 21 companies this year. The list of award winners can be found in the appendix. Details of the schemes can be found at https://www.gs1hk.org/quality-food-scheme.

MS. Anna LinChief Executive of GS1 HK, noted: “I am very pleased with the encouraging response from the industry to our first Quality Food Scheme ESG, which demonstrates their commitment to sustainable development. We will continue to work with all parties through consultation, training and award programs to raise food safety standards and introduce more sustainable practices.”

Download photos: https://gs1hongkong.box.com/s/xuadt1xh6n4hviwyqwst20atz7j4ikfw

Attachment

Recognised companies of the Quality Food Scheme Plus 2024 (in alphabetical order):

Diamond company

• Café de Coral Holdings Ltd.
• DKSH Hong Kong Ltd.
• FrieslandCampina (HK) Ltd.
• Hop Hing Oils & Fats (HK) Ltd.
• Integrated Market Services Asia Ltd.
• International Gourmet Foods Ltd.
• Kerry Logistics (HK) Ltd.
• Maxim’s Caterers Ltd.
• Sims Trading Co. Ltd.
• Swire Coca-Cola HK
• Tai Hing Worldwide Development Ltd.
• Tai Luen Coffee Co., Ltd.
• Tong Shun Hing Poultry (HK) Co. Ltd.
• Tsit Wing Coffee Co., Ltd.
• Vitasoy International Holdings Ltd.
• Watson’s Water

Gold Enterprise

Recognised companies of the Quality Food Scheme 2024 (in alphabetical order):

Gold Enterprise

• AEON Stores (HK) Co. Ltd.
• Aquaculture Technologies Asia Ltd.
• DCH Logistics Hong Kong Co. Ltd.

Silver companies

Recognised companies of the “Quality Food Scheme ESG” 2024 (in alphabetical order):

innovation

• CATALO Natural Health Science Limited
• Kerry Logistics (HK) Ltd.
• Tong Shun Hing Poultry (HK) Co. Ltd.

technology

• DKSH Hong Kong Ltd.
• Loscam (Hong Kong) GmbH.
• Meiriki Japan Company Ltd.
• Nestlé Hong Kong Ltd.
• Sun Fat Heung Food Products Ltd. (Top soy)

Performance

• Hop Hing Oils & Fats (HK) Ltd.
• International Gourmet Foods Ltd.
• King Bakery Holdings Limited
• Sa Sa Cosmetic Co. Ltd.
• Tai Hing Worldwide Development Ltd.
• Tai Luen Coffee Co. Ltd.
• Tai Po Chun Hing Ltd.
• The Garden Society Limited
• Wah Yuen Foods (HK) Co. Ltd.

About GS1 Hong Kong

GS1 was founded in 1989 by the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce. Hong Kong is the local branch of GS1®. GS1 Hong Kong’s The mission is to support companies in their digital transformation, improve supply chain transparency and efficiency, ensure product authenticity, facilitate trade connectivity and enable a sustainable value chain by providing global supply chain standards (including GTIN and barcodes) and a full range of platforms, solutions and services.

GS1 Hong Kong currently supports nearly 8,000 corporate members across 20 industries, including retail and consumer goods, food and beverage and food services, healthcare, apparel and footwear, logistics and ICT. By working closely with communities of trading partners, industry organizations, governments and technology providers, we can foster a collaborative ecosystem and pave the way for Smarter Business, Better Life.

Headquartered in Brussels, BelgiumGS1® is a not-for-profit standards organization with 118 national offices serving 150 economies worldwide. For more information, visit www.gs1hk.org.

SOURCE GS1 Hong Kong