Food Research Laboratory
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2006
- HeadquartersHong Kong, Hong Kong SAR China
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
Food Research Laboratory firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Food Research Laboratory
- Legal name
- Centre for Food Safety
- Website
- https://cfs.gov.hk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2006
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Food Research Laboratory industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Government Food Safety Regulation
- SIC
- Services-Testing Laboratories (8734), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Food Testing Laboratories (Microbiological, Chemical, Allergen) (AFALAAAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Regulatory Compliance & HACCP Consulting (FDA/USDA/EFSA) (AFALAAAD), Environmental Pathogen Monitoring Programs (Listeria, Salmonella, STEC) (AFALAEAA), Food Testing, Laboratory Oversight & Method Standards (HLAJAEAF)
Keywords
Where Food Research Laboratory is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Hong Kong
- HQ country
- Hong Kong SAR China
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices1 record
Markets served
Food Research Laboratory business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels9 records
Food Research Laboratory product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Food Research Laboratory is a laboratory section within the Risk Management Division of the Centre for Food Safety, which operates under the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department of the Hong Kong SAR Government. It conducts microbiological, chemical, radiological, and antimicrobial resistance testing on food samples and supports territory-wide food surveillance, risk assessment, food incident response, import/export control, and food safety regulatory enforcement across Hong Kong.
Product overview
The Food Research Laboratory operates within the Hong Kong Centre for Food Safety (CFS) under the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department. The organisation provides a comprehensive suite of food safety programmes including the Food Surveillance Programme (conducting ~65,000 tests annually), HACCP System guidance, Risk Assessment in Food Safety, and Food Incidents and Response Management. Key service modules include the Food Consumption Survey and Total Diet Study for population-based risk assessment, the Nutrition Labelling Scheme for regulatory compliance, and the Reduction of Dietary Sodium and Sugar programme for public health. Digital platforms include the Food Trader Portal for trade communications and the Nutrient Information Inquiry System. Import control and Food Safety Ordinance compliance services handle regulatory enforcement. The Food Research Laboratory Section provides laboratory analytical support. The overall architecture follows a tripartite collaboration model among Government, food trade, and consumers to ensure food sold in Hong Kong is safe and fit for consumption.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Centre for Food Safety WhatsApp Channel: Official WhatsApp channel for disseminating food safety information and alerts to the public
- Safe Food at School
- Safe Food For All
- Safe Kitchen
- Food Trader Portal
- Hong Kong's Action on Salt & Sugar Reduction
Products and services
- Food Surveillance Programme Annual territory-wide food safety testing programme that conducts approximately 65,000 food sample tests per year covering import, wholesale, and retail/catering levels, including routine, targeted, and seasonal surveillance projects.
- HACCP System Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point system providing food safety guidelines, industry resources, and training materials for various food sectors including sushi, sashimi, oysters, siu mei, lo mei, frozen confections, and school catering.
- Risk Assessment in Food Safety Scientific risk assessment framework covering hazard identification, characterisation, exposure assessment, and risk characterisation for chemical hazards, microbiological hazards, food additives, nutrition, and genetically modified foods.
- Food Incidents and Response Management Management system for food poisoning outbreak investigation, food incident response coordination, and food recall management, handling 120-230 food poisoning cases annually affecting 500-800 persons.
- Food Consumption Survey Population-based dietary survey programme collecting food consumption data for food safety risk assessment, conducted in 2005-2007, 2018-2020, and 2021-2022.
- Total Diet Study Internationally recognised study to estimate dietary exposures to food chemicals for various population groups by purchasing foods, preparing them as normally consumed, analysing substances, and combining with consumption data.
- Reduction of Dietary Sodium and Sugar Public health programme promoting sodium and sugar reduction through nutrition labelling scheme, trade guidelines, salt reduction initiatives, and Salt/Sugar Label Scheme for prepackaged foods.
- Nutrition Labelling Scheme
Quantifiable outcome
- 65,000 food samples tested annually for safety compliance
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Food Research Laboratory
Customer profileSegments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Food Research Laboratory technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
Food Research Laboratory partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (GACC)coreCFS works closely with GACC and local Mainland Customs Offices for mainland farm audit inspections to ensure farms exporting live food animals to Hong Kong meet herd health and safe food production criteria. Maintains close communication on animal disease outbreak cases, registered farm information, and import suspension/resumption arrangements.
- Mainland Authorities and FarmscoreCollaborative inspections of mainland farms supplying live food animals (livestock, poultry, aquatic animals) to Hong Kong, ensuring compliance with GACC standards for sound herd health and safe food production.
- Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD)coreThe Centre for Food Safety operates under the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, with the Controller of CFS reporting to the Director of FEHD.
- Expert Committee on Food SafetycoreAdvisory committee consisting of academics, professionals, food experts, trade members, and experts including five from Mainland and overseas. Provides advice on food safety measures, standards review, and risk communication strategies. Members appointed by Secretary for Environment and Ecology for two-year terms.
- Trade Consultation Forum MemberscorePlatform for CFS to exchange views on food safety with food trade associations, food processors, food importers, wholesalers, supermarket operators, and retailers. First forum held on 28 July 2006 with active participation from various industry stakeholders.
- Consumer Liaison Group (CLG)coreConsumer engagement platform for better communication on food safety issues, collecting public suggestions and comments. Current 8th Term (2024-2027) with structured membership and WhatsApp broadcasting channel.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Food Research Laboratory competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- SGS Société Générale de Surveillance: Global testing, inspection and certification company with a major food testing and supply-chain assurance practice — a private-sector peer in food safety laboratory capability.
- European Food Safety Authority (EFSA): Pan-European food safety risk assessment body whose risk-analysis framework CFS explicitly aligns with — a higher-level regulatory peer rather than a single-jurisdiction operator.
- Eurofins Scientific: Largest global commercial food testing laboratory network providing microbiological, chemical, and contaminant testing — the private-sector analogue in capability, though operating commercially rather than as a regulator.
Direct peers
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA): Federal U.S. agency responsible for food safety, with microbiological and chemical testing programmes, import controls, and surveillance — the closest international parallel in scope and mandate to Hong Kong's CFS.
- General Administration of Customs of China (GACC): Mainland Chinese customs authority that CFS partners with on farm audits and import suspension coordination for live food animals — a counterpart agency for cross-border food safety enforcement.
- Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ): Binational food standards and risk assessment agency covering microbiological/chemical testing standards and nutrition labelling — comparable in mandate and programme structure to CFS.
- Singapore Food Agency (SFA): Consolidated Singapore food authority overseeing food safety testing, import control, and risk communication in a single jurisdiction — closely mirrors the integrated CFS model in an Asian city-state context.
- Korea Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS): South Korean consolidated food and drug safety agency conducting microbiological and chemical testing, import inspections, and consumer outreach — a comparable Asian regulatory peer.
- UK Food Standards Agency (FSA): Standalone UK food safety regulator covering microbiological/chemical testing, risk assessment, and consumer-facing campaigns — directly comparable to CFS's mandate and structure.
Others
- Codex Alimentarius Commission: International food standards body whose frameworks CFS adopts in its risk analysis — an ecosystem/standards-setting peer rather than a direct operator.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Food Research Laboratory social profiles
Digital presenceFood Research Laboratory financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Food Research Laboratory leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Food Research Laboratory funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Food Research Laboratory M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Food Research Laboratory
What does Food Research Laboratory do?
The Food Research Laboratory is a laboratory section within the Risk Management Division of the Centre for Food Safety, which operates under the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department of the Hong Kong SAR Government. It conducts microbiological, chemical, radiological, and antimicrobial resistance testing on food samples and supports territory-wide food surveillance, risk assessment, food incident response, import/export control, and food safety regulatory enforcement across Hong Kong.
Is Food Research Laboratory a public or private company?
Food Research Laboratory is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Food Research Laboratory founded?
Food Research Laboratory was founded in 2006. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Food Research Laboratory based?
Food Research Laboratory is headquartered in Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR China, in the Asia region.
Who are Food Research Laboratory's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are SGS Société Générale de Surveillance, European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and Eurofins Scientific. Direct peers are U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), General Administration of Customs of China (GACC), Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ), Singapore Food Agency (SFA), Korea Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) and UK Food Standards Agency (FSA). Codex Alimentarius Commission is listed as an others.
Does Food Research Laboratory have an API?
No public API is recorded for Food Research Laboratory.
What industry is Food Research Laboratory in?
Food Research Laboratory's product category is Government Food Safety Regulation. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFALAAAA, Food Testing Laboratories (Microbiological, Chemical, Allergen), with a secondary code of AFALAAAD, Regulatory Compliance & HACCP Consulting (FDA/USDA/EFSA). Its SIC code is 8734.