Annual GS1 HK's Food Safety Forum 2023 Drew Spotlight on Manpower Shortage, Food Safety and Digital Transformation

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HONG KONG, Aug. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The 9^th edition of GS1 Hong Kong Food Safety Forum concluded successfully today with enthusiastic responses and presence from the HKSAR Government officials, Legislative Council Members, business leaders and industry professionals.

Themed "Food Safety and Consumer Trust: The Smarter Future", the event attracted hundreds of attendees from the food and catering industry joining in-person and online. Discussions focused on how business can make use of innovative technologies and global standards to address the challenges posed by manpower shortage, food safety and supply chain disruptions, to promote the industry's sustainable growth.

As the guest of honour of the event, Ms. Vivian Lau, Permanent Secretary for Environment and Ecology (Food) of The Government of the HKSAR, delivered an opening remarks, "With wider application of innovation and technology, and information sharing on a more extensive scale, all stakeholders in the food trade can work in closer partnership with each other and make positive contributions to enhancing food safety and consumer trust. Food safety and consumer trust are certainly the key to the further development of the trade as a whole, and important parameters we all have to bear in mind in charting the way for the smarter future."

Ms. May Chung, Chairman of GS1 HK Board of Directors and Chairman of GS1 HK's Food and Beverage Industry Advisory Board, called for industry cooperation to shape a flexible, resilient, and sustainable food safety management system to navigate the challenges that the global food supply chain brings. She stated, "The global food supply chain is becoming increasingly complex because of factors like natural disasters and geopolitical issues, increasing the risks to food safety. It's imperative for businesses to leverage innovative technologies and global standards to enhance their ability to monitor and trace the supply chain, paving the way to food safety and our continuous development."

She took reference to GS1 HK's "1QR" as a practical example of using technology to enhance transparency for food product information and instill trust. The 2D barcode allows business to share a wide array of product information, including nutritional value and certification details. Coupled with track-and-trace and authentication functions, "1QR" helps boost product credibility and safety, thereby fostering consumer confidence.

Senior executives from Uni-China (Business) Management Limited, DKSH, Hung's Food Group, The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong All About Eat Catering Limited, Hop Hing Oil Group, KIN and Tahuhu Limited shared their insights at the Forum. They discussed the ways to alleviate manpower shortage challenges and drive the sustainability agenda for food safety and supply chain management, by using digital technology and new business approach.

Co-located at the Forum, the award presentation ceremony for the "Quality Food Scheme+" and "Quality Food Scheme," was organised to recognise the achievement of 22 food-related companies that demonstrated outstanding performance in food safety management, control and traceability. This year, 3 companies have ascended from "Gold Enterprise" title to "Diamond Enterprise", with a newcomer achieving the "Diamond" grade on its premiere, which highlights the industry's persistence and endeavours to raise the bar of food safety in Hong Kong. With the "Quality Food Scheme" logo, consumers can buy the food products with trust and consume with a peace of mind. Please refer to appendix or visit www.gs1hk.org/quality-food-scheme for the winner list of both Schemes.

Ms. Anna Lin, Chief Executive of GS1 HK, thanked the guest speakers for their insights and congratulated the award-winning companies with appreciation for their joint efforts in promoting local food safety. "Challenges such as labor shortages and the high transportation costs continue to persist in the F&B sector, despite a full recovery of the local economy. I believe innovative technology is a game-changer, revolutionises not only the front-line and supply chain operations, but also enhances the traceability of food that ensure food safety." She added, "We are committed to rallying the industry, government and consumers to drive industry-wide innovation and boost our competitiveness, giving new impetus to Hong Kong's reputation as the 'Gourmet Paradise'."

Appendix
Recognised Companies of "Quality Food Scheme+" (in alphabetical order):
Diamond Enterprise

• A.S. Watson Group - Watsons Water
• Café de Coral Holdings Ltd.
• DCH Food Mart
• DKSH Hong Kong Ltd.
• FrieslandCampina (HK) Ltd.
• Hop Hing Oils & Fats (HK) Ltd.
• International Gourmet Foods Ltd.
• Kerry Logistics (HK) Ltd.
• Maxim's Caterers Ltd.
• Sims Trading Co. Ltd.
• Sun Fat Heung Food Products Ltd. (Top Soya)
• 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.

Gold Enterprise

• Hi-Speed Supply Chain Ltd.

Recognised Companies of "Quality Food Scheme" (in alphabetical order):
Gold Enterprise

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

Silver Enterprise

• Sun Yik Food Ltd.

About GS1 Hong Kong
Founded by the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce in 1989, GS1 Hong Kong (GS1 HK) is the local chapter of GS1®, which supports companies' digitalisation to enhance supply chain transparency and efficiency, ensure product authenticity, and facilitate online and offline commerce with global supply chain standards (product identification key and barcode) and a full spectrum of standard-based platforms, solutions and services.

Currently, GS1 HK has around 8,000 corporate members covering close to 20 industries including retail consumer goods, food and food services, healthcare, apparel, logistics as well as information and technology. By engaging with communities of trading partners, industry organisations, government, and technology providers, GS1 HK is fostering a collaborative ecosystem with the vision of "Smarter Business, Better Life".

Headquartered in Brussels, Belgium, GS1® is a not-for-profit, standards organisation that has 116 national chapters serving 150 economies globally. For more information, please visit www.gs1hk.org.

SOURCE GS1 Hong Kong