Monitor Sugar Content In Menus At Gov't Events To Achieve 50 Pct Reduction - Expert

By Anasathia Anak Jenis

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 4 (Bernama) -- Effective monitoring and evaluation of sugar content in menus at government events are crucial to ensure the success of the newly implemented sugar reduction initiative.

Nutritionist Associate Prof Dr Norazmir Md Nor from the Faculty of Health Sciences at Universiti Teknologi MARA emphasised that the goal is to achieve a 50 per cent reduction in sugar content, effective immediately.

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"Regular monitoring and reporting are vital to ensure that our objectives are met. Ongoing oversight of the nutrition programme will significantly enhance efforts to reduce sugar intake," he told Bernama.

Norazmir's comments follow the recent directive from the Cabinet, which mandates a 50 per cent reduction in sugar content in beverages served at all government events. This directive, effective as of yesterday, is part of a broader strategy to promote a healthier lifestyle.

Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil, who is also spokesperson for the Unity Government, in announcing the decision on Thursday, highlighted that the move was prompted by the 2023 National Health and Morbidity Survey report, which revealed that 15.5 per cent of Malaysia's adult population has been diagnosed with diabetes. 

Norazmir also recommended using alternative or artificial sweeteners, such as Stevia or Erythritol, to replace natural sugars, as studies show these alternatives can reduce sugar intake without compromising the taste of food.

In addition, he proposed controlling dessert and sweet beverage portions by reducing their sizes and offering less sweet options.

"Offering sugar-free or low-sugar beverages, such as unsweetened tea, sugar-free lemonade, or plain water, along with reducing dessert and sweet drink portions, can lower overall calorie and sugar consumption," he said.

Meanwhile, Associate Prof Dr Zahara Abdul Manaf from the Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, recommended that event organisers select foods that are low in sugar, oil, fat and salt.

"The Health Ministry has issued healthy eating guidelines for meetings, which can serve as a reference for all of us," she said, adding that these reductions should be formalised into workplace policies, including informing food vendors and all staff.

Zahara also suggested that sugary drinks should not be served at every meal. Instead, priority should be given to providing plain water, fresh lemon juice, or green tea.

Meanwhile, to ensure the Health Ministry's ‘war on sugar’ campaign is both effective and successful, the government should not only increase excise duties on sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) but also remove sugar from the list of controlled items under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011, according to Galen Centre for Health and Social Policy chief executive officer Azrul Mohd Khalib.

He emphasised that Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad was correct in highlighting sugar consumption as a key issue in tackling Malaysia’s obesity crisis.

“We support Dr Dzulkefly’s proposal to increase the SSB tax to 20 per cent of the retail price,” he said.

He also noted that the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2019 estimates Malaysians consume an average of 12 teaspoons of sugar daily from sugary beverages, and as such this measure could help reduce overall sugar intake.

The survey further revealed that the highest prevalence of non-communicable diseases is among individuals aged 60 and above (38 per cent), followed by those aged 50 to 59 years (28.8 per cent), 40 to 49 years (15.2 per cent), 30 to 39 years (6.5 per cent) and 18 to 29 years (3.2 per cent).

-- BERNAMA