Health Ministry formulates strategic plan to reduce Malaysians sugar intake

SHAH ALAM - The Health Ministry has formulated a Strategic Plan to reduce sugar intake among Malaysians (2023-2025) which will involve several measures.

Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa said the matter was informed in the 16th National Food Safety and Nutrition Council Meeting (MKMPK-16) held at the Health Ministry yesterday.

"In the meeting, a motion was presented to implement the Health Ministry Safe Food Certification as a condition for food supply services during official meetings and functions at all ministry facilities in Putrajaya.

"The matter needs to be refined before any further action can be taken," she said in a statement today.

Dr Zaliha said the meeting also touched on the National Food Safety Policy, an online monitoring system for the National Plan of Action for Nutrition Malaysia (MS-NPANM) and implementation of ASEAN-level agreements on the inspection and certification of food products.

"In addition, a new nutrient declaration for trans fatty acids and new function declaration for antioxidants from palm oil as well as the industry’s commitment to produce healthier food products will be published,"she said.

The meeting chaired by Dr Zaliha was also attended by the Deputy Health Minister and agencies and representatives from 18 ministries

Also present in the meeting was four representatives from non-governmental organisations (NGOs) namely the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM), the Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (FOMCA), the Nutrition Society of Malaysia (NSM) and the Malaysian Association for the Study of Obesity (MASO).

"This meeting will become the right platform to discuss and coodinate activities to address the latest issue of food safety and nutrition to improve service delivery for the well-being of Malaysians ," she said.