Malaysia

Malaysia Sugar Tax

Excise duty of RM0.40/litre (about US$0.095) was applied to all manufactured beverages, including carbonated drinks containing added sugar/other sweeteners and other non-alcoholic beverages, containing sugar exceeding 5g/100ml; and all fruit and vegetable juices regardless of whether the juices contain added sugar/other sweeteners which contain sugar exceeding 12g/100ml

Healthier Choice Logo

On 20 April 2017, the Minister of Health of Malaysia launched the Healthier Choice Logo in collaboration with food and beverages industries in Malaysia. The objectives of the Healthier Choice Logo are to: help consumers quickly identify healthier products within the same food category; assist consumers in making informed food choices through authentication of the logo displayed on the food products; educate the public on the use of approved products within a healthy and balanced eating pattern; and encourage and promote good practices among food industries in producing “healthier choice” products. Implementation of the Healthier Choice Logo is voluntary. Products bearing the logo indicate they meet a set of nutrient criteria, which exist for 42 sub-categories of foods and beverages. As of 15 May 2017, 48 products from various food and beverage companies have the Healthier Choice Logo.

NCD Country Profiles 2018 (Obesity Targets)

The profiles also provide data on the key metabolic risk factors, namely raised blood pressure, raised blood glucose and obesity and National Targets on Obesity (as of 2017)

Recommended Nutrient Intakes for Malaysia. A report of the technical working group

Malaysia faces the double burden of malnutrition. The burden of NCDs continue to rise in Malaysia and unhealthy diet is one of the major risk factors for NCD. Malaysian nowadays are living in an obesogenic environment that leads to sedentary lifestyle and unhealthy eating habits. The report has been created to to assist Malaysians in achieving, sustaining and maintaining a certain level of health status as the RNI's as they form the basis in setting up or establishing nutrition requirement in any nutritional guidelines.

National Plan of Action for Nutrition of Malaysia III 2016-2025

Updated plan of action to ehnhance nutritional status of population and prevent or reduce NCD's

National Strategic Plan for Non-Communicable Disease Medium term Strategic Plan to further strengthen the NCD Prevention and Control program in Malaysia (2016-2025)

Malaysian Dietary Guidelines for Children and Adolescents

The Malaysian Dietary Guidelines for Children and Adolescents comprise 15 key messages and 67 key recommendations for healthy children and adolescents from birth to 18 years of age

Malaysian Food and Beverage Industry's "Responsible Advertising to Children" Initiative

Voluntary self-regulatory pledge on responsible marketing of food and drink to children.

The Guide for Healthy School Canteen Management

The Guide for Healthy School Canteen Management (2012), developed by the Ministry of Education and mandatory for public schools, categorises food items into those which may be sold, those which are not encouraged to be sold and those whose sale is prohibited in school canteens. Prohibited food includes sweets, preserved food, extruded snacks containing artificial flavours and colourings (which are snacks mainly based on corn flour or a combination of flours undergoing extrusion and then coating with a combination of vegetable oil and seasoning), and food and beverages containing alcohol. The list of prohibited food is under review (2016), in particular with respect to carbonated drinks.

Malaysia Dietary Guidelines 2010

The guidelines are aimed at health care providers to assist them in educating the public on improving their health through sound dietary practices. It is also intended to act as a tool for promoting healthy eating and achieving the National Plan of Action for Nutrition of Malaysia.

National Plan of Action for Nutrition Malaysia (2006-2015) - NPANM

NPANM aims to enhance the nutritional status of the population and prevent and control diet-related non-communicable diseases.

Strategy for the Prevention of Obesity - Malaysia

This strategy contains recommendations to help prevent normal weight individuals from becoming overweight or obese.

Clinical Practice Guidelines on the management of Obesity 2004

Guidelines for obesity management, prevention and treatment for use by health professionals.

National Food Safety and Nutrition Council

Highest advisory body to the government on issues related to food and nutrition in the country.

GNPR 2016-17 (q7) Breastfeeeding promotion and/or counselling

WHO Global Nutrition Policy Review 2016-2017 reported the evidence of breastfeeding promotion and/or counselling (q7)

NASPAL 2016-2025

National Strategic Action Plan for Active Living 2016-2025

Policy Options to Combat Obesity in Malaysia

Malaysian obesity policy action plan in line with National Plan of Action for Nutrition of Malaysia.

The Malaysian Guide to Nutrition Labelling and Claims

In Malaysia, a nutrient list detailing energy, protein, carbohydrates and fat per 100g/100ml and per serving must be provided on select categories of packaged food, including bread, confectionery, dairy products, canned food, fruit juices, salad dressings and mayonnaise; ready-to-drink beverages must also include total sugars. A nutrient list is also mandatory for any product bearing a nutrition claim, products with added vitamins and minerals, and special purpose food for infants and young children. Details are provided in the Malaysian Guide to Nutrition Labelling and Claims (2010), which reflects labelling legislation from 2003 (as incorporated into the Food Act of 1983 and Food Regulations of 1985) and subsequent amendments.