Nearly 13,000 food poisoning cases, 5 deaths recorded as of August

Malaysia recorded 12,899 cases of food poisoning and five deaths between January and August this year, according to Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad. The minister defended the need for more stringent penalties under the Food (Amendment) Bill 2026, stating that current punishments are insufficient for the severity of food safety offenses.

Dzulkefly cited two incidents as examples: a salmonella-contaminated omelette at a school in Kuala Lumpur, where six students were hospitalized and the culprit received only a RM3,000 fine; and a 2018 laksa outbreak in Kedah affecting 61 people and resulting in two deaths, with the responsible party fined just RM1,500. He argued that the existing penalties, unchanged for 43 years, are no longer proportionate to the offenses committed.

The proposed higher penalties aim to protect consumers and encourage responsible business practices, not to burden small traders. Dzulkefly assured MPs that minor infractions would be handled through guidance and health education, but serious threats to public health could lead to immediate closure and hefty fines. If repeat offenders are caught, they would face court proceedings with stricter monitoring.

The bill, which strengthens food safety enforcement and raises penalties, was later approved by the Dewan Rakyat.