Deputy Minister of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Senator Hajah Fuziah Salleh inaugurated the SnapGo Technologies Sdn Bhd’s Show Room as the Main Strategic Partner of Food Bank Malaysia to introduce more retort food packaging initiatives that will benefit more Malaysians under the MADANI concept, especially for the target groups those in need.
Retort is a processing method that uses heat and pressure to sterilize food. It is one of the most commonly used methods of thermal food processing and is popular with food producers across the world.
Along with the RAHMAH Umbrella Initiative led by the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Costs of Living (KPDN), the Food Bank Malaysia (PFBM) Program continues to be mobilised to assist the Government in its efforts to reduce the burden of living costs faced by the people.
To date, there are 48 contributors who are actively helping to mobilise PFBM throughout the country including supermarkets and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs).
In respect of the Student Food Bank Program implemented until 31 July 2023, a total of 82,488 students have benefited from the program implemented at 30 Higher Education Institutes (IPTs).
Through the Food Donor Protection Act 2020 which was gazetted on 13 March 2020, it can encourage food donations to the needy by allaying the concerns of donors, especially the industry regarding the risks they will face. The Ministry has made various efforts to mobilise PFBM more effectively in helping more people in need.
Among the efforts made is the implementation of retort food packaging technology where this initiative is assisted by one of the industry players who provide support to PFBM, namely SnapGo Technologies Sdn. Bhd. KPDN is pleased to collaborate with SnapGo Technologies Sdn Bhd in producing quality retort food. Until 31 July 2023, the Ministry has successfully placed fourteen (14) retort machines in locations involving the hospitality, catering and agricultural sectors.
SnapGo Technologies Sdn. Bhd has worked hard in Research & Development (R&D) to produce the latest product which is Self Heat Ready-To-Eat (SHRTE) which can be eaten anywhere by various age groups and can last for a period of 18 to 24 months and can be stored in room temperature without changing its taste, appearance and nutrients.
At the same time, this product is also very suitable for all situations, especially in an effort to provide help and contribution to the needy in times of emergency and when facing disasters. For example, flood victims will get food supplies first while waiting for other aid to arrive through the distribution of ready-to-eat retort food.
Indirectly this effort will help the Government to save time while providing immediate and safe assistance to all locations in flood disaster areas, Fuziah said in a statement today (Aug 18).
The Ministry will continue to commit to further develop this retort packaging technology initiative so that it continues to be recognised and more parties will come forward and together with the Government in an effort to reduce the cost of living faced by the people, especially the needy.
The Ministry is also appealing to more industry, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and individuals to join the Ministry in making the Food Bank Malaysia (PFBM) Program and the RAHMAH Umbrella Initiative a success, she added.
