Malaysia plans A-to-D food grades to nudge manufacturers — and consumers — towards healthier choices

Malaysia may introduce a new food labeling system, assigning nutritional grades from A to D, by the end of 2026, according to Health Ministry official Dr Yap Wei Aun. The preventive health measure aims to encourage healthier food choices for Malaysians and prompt the food and beverage industry to reformulate products. Dr Yap explained that an A grade would signify the healthiest option, while D would denote the least healthy.

The initiative, part of a committee with Singapore, is a collaborative effort to address major health risks like physical inactivity and mental health issues, as well as dietary risks such as excessive salt, sugar, and overall calorie intake. While the system may seem to focus on consumer choice, Dr Yap emphasized its potential to complement other public health policies by altering the overall food environment.

For instance, schools could serve only A and B graded foods, and government procurement and employer offerings could also be restricted to healthier choices. Dr Yap highlighted that the measure could also restrict advertising for less healthy products and change how food is presented in retail spaces. Singapore already employs a similar front-of-pack labeling system, known as Nutri-Grade, which assesses sugar levels in drinks and has banned advertising for products with a D grade.

Malaysia is currently developing a mandatory Nutri-Grade system based on sugar content in drinks, with advertising for D-graded products prohibited.