SEPANG, Aug 26 — The proposed introduction of nutri-grade system for food and drinks will be tabled at the Cabinet soon, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.
He added that the system was part of the Health Ministry’s (MOH) plans to reduce non-commutable diseases among Malaysians.
“This is between four to five programmes we’ve planned under the War on Sugar campaign. God willing, it will be tabled at the Cabinet meeting soon.
“We will implement (grade of drinks with sugar content) after obtaining approval,” he said at a media conference to launch the Santan “Club Zero” campaign here today, which was also attended by Deputy Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Fuziah Salleh, Capital A Bhd chief executive officer Tan Sri Tony Fernandes and Santan chief executive officer Catherine Goh.
On excise duties on sugar drinks introduced by the government on July 1, 2019, he said the latest data showed a reduction of 9.25 per cent in purchases of sweet food and drinks in the country.
“We have evidence our study shows this figure’s reduction. There is more to come on some good approaches to the ‘War on Sugar’. Soon, we will unveil this,” Dr Dzulkefly said.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced the increase in excise duty on sugar drinks from RM0.40 to RM0.50 a litre effective 2024 while presenting the Budget 2024 on October 13 last year.
Earlier, in his speech, Dr Dzulkefly praised Santan for organising the “Club Zero” campaign, which he described as the first innovative campaign in the country.
“MOH will be the first to support you to succeed with this campaign. What is important is, Santan is leading this initiative and I hope more companies will start this kind of initiative in supporting MOH mission in addressing obesity and overweight among the nation,” he said.
“Club Zero” is a campaign to promote the reduction of sugar in food and drinks to AirAsia passengers run by Santan, a Capital A subsidiary, and involves cooperation between Santan with Secret Recipe and Tealive, that offers a selection of six drinks and a cake with low sugar content.
— Bernama
