The Mainland resumed the export of chilled chickens to Hong Kong in December. The FEHD had stipulated stringent requirements and conditions for compliance by importers, distributors and retailers to ensure that the imported chickens are safe and fit for human consumption.

    The department has put in place an identification and tracing system for these chilled chickens. Each chilled chicken is individually packed and should bear a label containing information such as the manufacturing date, use-by date, product name and instructions for use and storage. A hologram label is attached to the wrapper of each chilled chicken to show that the chicken has been inspected by the Mainland's authority. A specially allocated number is printed on the back of each hologram label and this identifies the plant in which the chicken was processed, and when. In addition, an edible and colourfast red stamp is put near the chicken wing area of each Mainland chilled chicken. The hologram label and the red stamp help address the concerns of consumers about the sourcing of chilled chickens and the identification of freshly slaughtered chickens in relation to chilled chickens.