Dewan Rakyat passes Bill giving Health DG greater powers over unsafe food
KUALA LUMPUR: The Dewan Rakyat today passed amendments to the Food Act 1983, giving the health director-general greater powers to publish information on food that does not comply with the law without a court order.
On August 12, 2026, the Dewan Rakyat approved amendments to the Food Act 1983, granting the health director-general (DG) enhanced powers to publicly disclose information on food products that do not meet legal standards without a court order. Following a debate with 35 MPs from both sides, the Food (Amendment) Bill 2026 received approval by voice vote.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad explained that these changes aimed to increase public confidence in the safety of food and food-contact materials in circulation. The ministry plans to utilize the Food Safety and Quality Programme website to publish details of food products found to be non-compliant, based on laboratory analysis results accessible directly to the public.
Additionally, the mechanism will address food products with false addresses by disseminating information via press statements and social media platforms. By expanding the DG's power to publish information without court orders, the government seeks to communicate this information more swiftly to the public. The amendments include Section 11A, authorizing the health DG to close premises preparing or selling harmful food, Section 3 allowing the minister to authorize public officers to obtain food-contact materials samples for public interest, and Section 8A empowering officers to access digital data for thorough investigations, reflecting the rise of online transactions.
Other changes tackle labeling issues, ensuring compliance with food standards and preventing false labeling.
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