Over 23,000 requests to block online food sales since 2023, says Dzulkefly
KUALA LUMPUR: The Health Ministry submitted 23,553 requests to block websites, social media content and e-commerce listings linked to food law violations between 2023 and September this year.
KUALA LUMPUR: The Health Ministry documented 23,553 requests to restrict online food sales for law violations from 2023 to September 2024. Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad revealed that e-commerce platform requests surged from 822 in 2023 to 3,688 in the first nine months of the current year. Social media requests, including those on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, grew from 806 to 2,506 during the same period.
Despite these numbers, Dr Dzulkefly expressed dissatisfaction with the ongoing failures in monitoring and enforcement. The rising non-compliance in online food sales necessitates stronger digital enforcement, he stated while discussing the Food (Amendment) Bill 2026. The ministry is collaborating with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission and online platforms to remove prohibited content, misleading ads, labeling offenses, and false business addresses.
Amendments to the Food Act 1983 will empower the Health director-general to issue public warnings without court orders if food manufacturers cannot be traced or use false addresses. The Health ministry will disseminate warnings through its Food Safety and Quality Programme website and social media channels to expedite public warnings and bolster consumer protection against unsafe online food.
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