Webinar on Update on Malaysia Food Regulations on Food Labeling, Nutrition Labeling and Claims

Nutrition information on food labels has been recognised as one of the strategies adopted to assist consumers in adopting healthy dietary practices. Nutrition information would include nutrition labelling (or nutrition information panel – NIP), nutrition and health claims, front-of-pack (FOP) nutrition labelling and ingredient list.

Recognising the potential of such nutrition information to help consumers in making informed food choices in planning healthier diets, the Ministry of Health (MOH) Malaysia amended the Food Regulations 1985 to mandate nutrition labelling for a wide variety of foods and made provisions for nutrition claims in 2003. Such nutrition information on food labels is also of importance to the food industry as food manufacturers would become more aware of the nutritional properties of their products and be encouraged to emphasise these properties to consumers.

In line with global developments and the public health needs of the country, MOH Malaysia gazetted many further amendments to the Food Regulations 1985 in July 2020, in relation to food labelling, nutrition labelling and nutrition and health claims. It is important to have a clear understanding of these amendments as they would have important impact on how all stakeholders perform their duties and businesses. These include food manufacturers, health care professionals, researchers and eventually impact on the consumers.

This regulatory update webinar focuses on these amendments, especially those contained in Food (amendment) No. 4, P.U. (A) 209, dated 21 July 2020.

Objectives:

• To update stakeholders on amendments No. 4, P.U.(A), July 2020 of the Food Regulations 1985
• Provide an explanation of these amendments and their interpretation
• Discuss the implications/impact on major stakeholders

Brief:
Introduction to ILSI SEA Region

Presentation 1:
Review of Malaysia Food Regulations 1985: A Strategic Approach
Ms. Zailina binti Abdul Majid, Deputy Director, Standard and Codex Branch, Food Safety and Quality Division (FSQD), MOH Malaysia

Presentation 2:
Updates on New Amendments of General Food Labeling
Ms. Nur Liyana binti Mohd Nizar, Assistant Director, Standard and Codex Branch, FSQD, MOH Malaysia

Presentation 3:
Updates on New Amendments of Nutrition Labeling and Claims
Ms. Nurul Hidayati binti Mohd Nasir, Nutritionist, FSQD, MOH Malaysia

Presentation 4:
Guidelines on Food Advertisement
Ms. Maizatul Azlina binti Chee Din, Nutritionist, FSQD, MOH Malaysia

Q&A

Closing Remarks