Deputy Minister: Health Ministry to introduce food grading system to fight NCDs

MIRI (Sept 8): The Ministry of Health (MOH) will soon implement a food and drink grading system as part of its concerted efforts to prevent non-communicable diseases (NCDs) among Malaysians due to excessive sugar intake, said Datuk Lukanisman Awang Sauni.

The Deputy Health Minister explained that the grading system will complement the government’s large-scale “war on sugar” campaign.

“A key component of the strategy is the introduction of a grading system for foods and drinks, particularly for products with high sugar content.

“This system, once fully implemented, will display clear grade labels—A, B, or C—based on the sugar percentage in the products.

“These labels are intended to make it easier for consumers to assess the sugar content in their food choices and make more informed decisions,” he told a press conference after visiting the health census data collection activity at Jamal Ad-Din mosque Taman Jelita in Taman Tunku earlier today.

Lukanisman said that the “War on Sugar” campaign should be viewed positively as it aims to reduce the nutritional burden that contributes to the declining health levels of the general Malaysian population, especially regarding sugar-related diseases such as diabetes and obesity.

He pointed out that this campaign will also reduce the strain on healthcare services, which has seen an increased number of patients suffering from NCDs due to excessive sugar intake.

Regarding the health census data collection, Lukanisman said the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) is a major undertaking that involves comprehensive data collection on the health status of Malaysians.

He said that the scientific evidence obtained from the census is important in drawing up national health policy.

“The data obtained will be able to help the government and policy makers to plan, implement, and evaluate effective health policies.

“This includes more accurate allocation of resources for various health programmes and services by the ministry,” he added.

He said the Institute of Public Health under the National Institute of Health (NIH) also plays an important role in providing scientific evidence through the NHMS health census.

To date, Lukanisman said various health policies and programmes have been implemented based on findings from the NHMS.

“According to NHMS findings last year, there was an increase in the prevalence of overweight and obesity as well as other nutrition-related diseases among adults.

“One of the causes of weight gain is due to the consumption of unbalanced and unhealthy foods that contain high sugar, fat and salt,” he said.

Hence, he called for a comprehensive and aggressive integrated action, including political commitment as well as commitment from all ministries, related agencies, and society through a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to tackle the issue of unhealthy eating habits and diets of the Malaysian population.

“It is my great hope that the results of this health census can help the ministry in dealing with the problem of the double burden of malnutrition and knowing the eating habits of Malaysians that contribute to the risk factors of non-communicable diseases,” he said.

Also present at the function were MOH Deputy Director General (Health, Research and Technical Support) Datuk Dr Nor Fariza Ngah, National Institute of Health (NIH) manager Dr Murizal Zainol, Institute for Public Health director Dr Noor Ani Ahmad and Sarawak deputy health director Dr Rohani Mat Bah.