【Press Release 2 October 2025】 To address the challenges of national aging and grasp the opportunities brought by the silver economy, The Hong Kong Council of Social Service (HKCSS) and The Chinese Manufacturers’ Association of Hong Kong (CMA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding on “Care Food Greater Bay Area (GBA) Standard” in November last year. Together with Shenzhen Association of Testers and Analysts as well as over 40 partners from the social welfare, business, and academic sectors across the Greater Bay Area, HKCSS and the CMA have been collaboratively working to advance the development of the Standard.
On September 25 this year, the “Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Standardization Research Center” officially announced the inclusion of the “General Requirements of Dysphagia Diet for Elderly (Care Food)” in the list of “GBA Standards”. Being the first “GBA Standard” led by the Hong Kong industry for the silver economy, this initiative marks a significant advancement in the integration of standards across the Greater Bay Area. It provides clear guidelines for care food manufacturers in the three places, aiding in the standardization of testing procedures, enhancing overall product quality, promoting technological innovation, and ensuring food safety. It addresses the diverse needs of the market, benefiting the elderly population throughout the Greater Bay Area. At the same time, this aligns with the national “Healthy China 2030” Blueprint and the “National Strategy for Actively Addressing Population Aging,” promoting the coordinated development of the elderly care industry.
Ms. Grace Chan, Chief Executive of HKCSS, stated: “The establishment of the ‘Care Food GBA Standard’ holds multiple strategic significances in addressing the aging society and developing the silver economy. It not only improves the quality of life for the elderly and adequately caters to the needs of individuals with swallowing difficulties, thus alleviating caregiver stress, but also fosters regional industrial cooperation, achieving a win-win goal of ‘supporting the elderly’ and ‘industrial innovation’. Furthermore, as the demand for cross-border elder care in the Greater Bay Area increases, unified standard will facilitate seamless collaboration among elder care institutions in Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao in the development of Care Food, enhancing care continuity.”
Dr. Wingco Lo, President of the CMA, stated: “The Care Food GBA Standard” integrates the expertise from Hong Kong’s business sector, social welfare community, and testing and certification industry, guiding the standardized development of the elderly-friendly food industry in the Greater Bay Area. The CMA will join hands with HKCSS to promote the Standard. Leveraging the extensive experience of the CMA Testing, we will assist food manufacturers in developing more elderly-friendly food products that meet the latest international standards in processing, freezing, sterilization, and nutritional preservation. We are also committed to expanding the scope of the ‘GBA Standards’ to include other elderly-friendly products and services, embodying the principle of ‘Hong Kong’s Advanced Standards, Contributing to National Needs.’”
The “General Requirements of Dysphagia Diet for Elderly (Care Food)” is primarily based on the International Dysphagia Diet Standardization Initiative (IDDSI), integrating the dietary habits, industrial capabilities, and regulatory requirements of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao region. This framework provides a technical basis for government regulation, corporate production, institutional procurement, and home care, guiding the standardized and scaled development of the age-friendly food industry, specifically applicable to pre-packed food products.
Based on their characteristics, age-friendly foods are classified into nine levels: (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7EC, 7). Level 0 is as thin as water, Level 5 consists of minced and moist food, while Level 7 represents food in its original state. Additionally, the document outlines testing methods for food characteristics, including simple methods that can be performed with a fork, spoon, or syringe, as well as scientific testing method using instruments such as stable micro system and constant temperature bath. This enables food producers to accurately manufacture Care Food products.
The document of the GBA Standard for the “General Requirements of Dysphagia Diet for Elderly (Care Food)”:
The “Gerontech and Innovation Expo and Summit 2025” (GIES), taking place from November 20 to 23 this year, will conduct in-depth discussions on the development of Care Food and the silver economy, encouraging stakeholders to actively participate in building a robust Care Food ecosystem. Additionally, the expo will feature a dedicated Care Food exhibition area, providing the public with insights into swallowing difficulties and Care Food solutions. Through on-site partners, information on assessment programs, cooking tests, and care rehabilitation will also be introduced.
HKCSS and Care Food Initiative
- The Hong Kong Council of Social Service (HKCSS) is a statutory body established in 1947. Together with its Agency Members, it upholds social justice and equality in its mission to advance the well-being of the Hong Kong community. The HKCSS is committed to building an impact-oriented, collaborative and innovative social service sector, and co-creating a better society with stakeholders across different sectors. The HKCSS has over 520 Agency Members, with service units throughout Hong Kong, providing high-quality social services to those in need.
- Since 2017, HKCSS has actively promoted the development of Care Food. Through co-creating with various stakeholders, including the government, professional sectors, food suppliers, restaurants and outlets, individuals with swallowing difficulties, and caregivers, HKCSS has built a robust and sustainable Care Food ecosystem. It has also published the first local “Guideline of Care Food Standard.
CMA and CMA Testing
- The Chinese Manufacturers’ Association of Hong Kong (CMA) was established in 1934 and is one of the most representative industrial associations in Hong Kong. The CMA is committed to promoting the development of Hong Kong’s industry and trade, fostering international cooperation, and actively fulfilling its social responsibilities. In response to the developments of the new economic era and technological transformations, the CMA is committed to driving innovation and breakthroughs. We will continuously optimize and expand our services to meet the increasingly diverse and high-quality development needs of our members and the industry.
- The CMA Testing was established by the CMA in 1979 as an internationally recognized third-party testing organization with a global network. It offers testing, inspection, and certification services for various products. In recent years, CMA Testing has actively promoted the commercialization of technology products, pilot testing, and green services, and has participated in developing GBA Standards of various products, contributing to the high-quality development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
Media contact:
HKCSS
Eddie Tsang (t) +852 2876-2982 (e) [email protected]
The CMA
Tweety Chow (t) +852 2542-8644 (e) [email protected]