政壇：睇社論學英文：營養成分鬥吹噓 嬰幼奶粉無王管

港府就立法規管三歲以下嬰幼兒配方奶粉及食品成分，引入營養標籤制度展開兩個月諮詢，準備明年立法。至於銷售手法，誇大及誤導奶粉健康功能聲稱的問題，由於牽涉層面複雜，港府擬先制訂自願守則試行，觀察業界自律效果，再決定是否立法規管。

嬰幼兒奶粉及食品市場商機龐大，利潤可觀，家長為求子女吸收營養，健康成長，選擇產品不惜腰間錢，業界投其所好，配合形形色色的市場推廣手法，聲稱產品有助「腦部發展」、「軟化便便」和「增強抵抗力」等特殊營養成分。其實，不少嬰幼食品聲稱的健康功能欠缺科學實證支持，個別產品甚至未能達到食品法典委員會的標準。

及早立法規管嬰幼兒奶粉及食品成分，已是社會共識，為免阻礙立法進度，港府不應好事多磨，宜採先易後難原則，把食品營養成分與銷售手法規管分開處理，立法之後，業界推出的產品必須符合營養標籤規定，家長在市場選購的嬰幼兒奶粉和食品便有了質量保證。至於規管業界銷售手法，禁賣廣告，有可能損害公眾知情權，減少消費者獲取足夠資訊選擇產品，港府必須平衡處理，不宜一刀切禁止。

Without regulation of nutrition claims, all brands of infant formula are blowing their own trumpets

The Hong Kong Government is conducting a 2-month public consultation in preparation for two items of upcoming legislation. Next year will probably see the regulation of the composition and the introduction of nutrition labelling of formula milk and foods intended for infants and toddlers under the age of 3. On marketing tactics as well as exaggerated and misleading health claims, the Government intends to first formulate a voluntary guideline for the industry, since the issues are complicated and numerous parties are involved. The effectiveness of industry self-discipline will be monitored before a decision is made on whether legislations in these regards are needed.

The infant formula and food market has huge business potential and is highly profitable. In order that their children can absorb more nutrition and grow up healthily, parents spare no expense in buying products. To cater to parents' likes, the industry comes up with multifarious marketing tactics and claims, such as alleging that the product contains special nutrients which can help to "develop the brain", "soften baby poo" and "enhance resistance to diseases". In fact, many of these health claims are not supported by scientific proof, and certain products do not even reach the standards set out by the Codex Alimentarius Commission.

There is already a consensus in society on the urgent need of regulation on infant formulae and foods. The Government should not drag its feet lest the progress of legislation be hampered. It should adopt the principle of "do easy things first" and separate the regulation of nutritional composition from that of marketing tactics. Once nutrition labels are legislated requirements, the industry must sell products that comply with them. Then parents can be certain on the quality of the infant formulae and foods they buy. Regulating marketing tactics or banning advertisements may infringe the public's right to know and hinder consumers from making an informed choice. The Government must strike a balance when it deals with the issue as an across-the-board prohibition is inappropriate.

重要生字

blow one's own trumpet 自我吹噓

cater to somebody's likes 投其所好

right to know 知情權