Sanaa:The government has proposed enhancing the authority of the Director-General of Health to disclose information about food that fails to comply with the Food Act 1983 (Act 281) or its regulations, without needing a court order.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad stated that the Food (Amendment) Bill 2026 would permit the publication of such information through print or electronic media to safeguard public safety.
The bill, comprising 39 clauses, also suggests changes to Section 12 of Act 281, allowing convictions under the act to be published. Furthermore, a new Section 11A is proposed to expand the Director-General's powers to close premises selling food with harmful substances.
Dzulkefly explained that the amendments aim to bolster enforcement by granting authorized officers expanded investigative powers, including access to recorded, computerized, and digital data for thorough investigations, addressing modern online transaction developments.
The amendments would also empower officers to gather information on food advertising and inspect relevant documents at premises involved in food advertising.
For consumer safety, the bill would reinforce controls over food contact materials, making it illegal to prepare or sell materials that contain or may transfer toxic substances. Operators would be required to recall or withdraw non-compliant materials from sale.
Proposed penalties include fines up to RM25,000 or imprisonment for up to five years, or both, for violations of the act's regulations. To improve controls on imported food, the bill suggests that food exceeding prescribed limits brought into Malaysia be presumed for sale unless proven otherwise.
On-site verification of overseas food facilities could be conducted, following consultations with exporting countries, to ensure only safe imported food enters Malaysia.
Dzulkefly highlighted food safety challenges such as chemical contamination from pesticide misuse, antibiotic residues, excessive food additives, and new chemicals and pathogens. Act 281, initially gazetted in 1983, has not undergone a comprehensive review despite amendments in 2001, 2006, and 2024.
Engagement sessions with stakeholders and public consultations, along with notifications to the World Trade Organisation, have been conducted from 2023 to 2026 to gather feedback on the proposed amendments.