Food Act overhaul: Online sales, pesticide residues and unsafe packaging now under tighter watch

The Food (Amendment) Bill 2026 was passed by the Dewan Rakyat yesterday, aiming to strengthen food safety and quality controls for the nation's consumers. This is the first comprehensive review of the Food Act 1983, which includes higher penalties, controls on food contact materials, monitoring of online food sales and pesticide residue levels in agricultural produce.

Health Minister Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad explained that the increased penalties are not intended to burden food operators or small traders, but rather to serve as a deterrent and safeguard public health. He cited examples of food poisoning incidents resulting in heavy fines for inadequate penalties, emphasizing that no monetary value can be placed on human life.

The bill also provides for higher fines and longer jail terms for serious offences, with a maximum of RM25,000 or five years in prison. The Health Ministry will adopt a risk-based approach to enforcement, addressing minor technical offences through advice and education, while serious offences will be dealt with directly in court.

The amendments will strengthen authorities' powers to close premises or disclose information on dangerous products without a court order. Concerns are raised over the rising rate of non-compliance with pesticide residue limits in market vegetables, increasing from 9% in 2023 to 14.1% between January and June 2026. Body cameras have been used since 2022, and the Malaysia Food Safety Information System (FoSIM) is being used digitally to reduce discretion and curb corruption among authorized officers. The debate was adjourned until 3:30 pm for the tabling of the Budget 2027.