The government has proposed giving the Health Director-General wider powers to publish information on food that does not comply with the Food Act 1983 or regulations made under it without a court order.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the proposed amendment would allow such information to be published through print or electronic media in the interest of public safety.
“The existing provisions under Act 281 are seen as no longer sufficient to address current food safety challenges to protect public health,” he said when tabling the Food (Amendment) Bill 2026 for its second reading in the Dewan Rakyat today.
The 39-clause Bill also proposes amendments to Section 12 to allow convictions under the Act to be published through print or electronic media.
A new Section 11A would further empower the Health director-general to order the closure of premises that prepare or sell food containing substances harmful to health.
The Bill also seeks to strengthen enforcement by giving authorised officers wider investigation powers, including access to records, computer information and digital data.
Officers would also be able to obtain information related to food advertising and inspect books, documents and records at relevant premises, including those producing food advertisements.
For food-contact materials, the Bill proposes making it an offence to prepare or sell materials containing or capable of transferring toxic or harmful substances.
“Operators will also be required to immediately recall, remove or withdraw from sale food-contact materials if they know or have reason to believe that the materials breach the provisions of Act 281,” he said.
The proposed amendments also increase penalties, including a fine of up to RM25,000 or imprisonment for up to five years or both for breaches of regulations made under the Act.
For imported food, the Bill proposes that food brought into Malaysia by land, sea or air above a prescribed quantity be presumed to be intended for sale unless proven otherwise.
It would also allow field verification of overseas food facilities following prior consultation with the exporting country.
Dzulkefly said the amendments were aimed at addressing food safety risks including chemical contamination from pesticide and antibiotic residues, excessive use of food additives and emerging chemicals and pathogens.
He said the Food Act had not undergone a comprehensive review since it was gazetted in 1983, despite amendments in 2001, 2006 and 2024.
