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Trade and Industry Department The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
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MY COLOUR

Commercial Information Circulars

24-hour hotline : 23 922 922

e-mail address : enquiry@tid.gov.hk

Ref : EIC 111/2

17  September 2005

Dear Sirs,

Commercial Information Circular No. 376/2005

US : Use of Materials Derived from Cattle in Human Food and Cosmetics

Commercial Information Circular No. 175/2004 dated 16 July 2004 reported on the US' prohibition of the use of certain cattle materials in human food, including dietary supplements, and cosmetics with a view to minimizing the potential risk of human exposure to materials that may contain the agent that causes bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE, also known as mad cow disease). The US Food and Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published in the Federal Register (FR) notices of 7 September 2005 some amendments to the interim final rules issued in 2004 in order to provide for the use of most parts of beef small intestine.

  1. According to the interim final rules published in 2004, the use of certain materials derived from cattle, among which includes small intestine of all cattle, in human food and cosmetics are prohibited. In response to the comments received on the interim final rules, both FSIS and FDA decided to allow the use of the beef small intestine, with the exception of the distal ileum, in human food and cosmetics, subject to certain conditions. FDA's amendments also clarify that milk and milk products, hides and hide-derived products, and tallow derivatives are not prohibited for use in human food and cosmetics.
     
  2. Both amended interim final rules will come into effect on 7 October 2005 and comments on them must be received by the agencies by 7 November 2005. Interested parties may download the relevant FR notices at:-

http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-17683.pdf for the FSIS' interim final rule; and

http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-17693.pdf for the FDA's interim final rule.

Hardcopies of the above FR notices are also available in the Americas (Commercial Relations) Branch of the Department for reference.

 

ENQUIRIES

 

  1. For enquiries concerning the content of this circular, please contact the undersigned at 2398 5682.

Yours faithfully,



(Amanda Kwong)

for Director-General of Trade and Industry

　



Note : While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the above information, the Department cannot guarantee this to be so and will not be held liable for any reliance placed on the same.