Retort Technology Allows Nasi Impit To Last Up To A Year

By Kamarul Halim M Kamal

BATU PAHAT, March 10 (Bernama) -- After decades of experimenting with different methods, a food entrepreneur has found a solution to ensure that his product can last up to a year in the retort technology.

Ahmad Md Yaacob, 65, the owner of Nasi Impit Adyanana, said that by using the technology, the company can now produce more than 500 packs of nasi impit daily, including for the Singapore market during this Ramadan.

He said when he started the business in 1995, he could only produce 12 packs of nasi impit with a shelf life of 24 hours.

"My daughter, Nur Liyana, and I tried every method but failed as the nasi impit would often become mouldy and watery even with proper packaging.

"However, in 2020 during the Movement Control Order (to curb the spread of the COVID-19 virus), I saw on television that retort technology could extend the shelf life of packed food," he told Bernama recently.

Ahmad said that after learning about the technology from an entrepreneur in Melaka and receiving guidance from the Department of Agriculture, he managed to produce 200 packs of nasi impit daily. 

According to him, the product's authenticity is maintained by wrapping the nasi impit in banana leaves before sealing it in plastic, retaining the same aroma as traditional nasi impit.

"I am grateful that this Ramadan, orders from Singapore and Kuala Lumpur have increased to more than 500 packs daily compared to before. Due to customer demand this year, we are also offering nasi impit in two sizes – 500 g and 1 kg.

"With this technology…the nasi impit can last up to a year at room temperature, as long as it remains unopened," he added.

Meanwhile, Batu Pahat district agriculture department officer Mufiddah Mohamad said due to its potential, Nasi Impit Adyanana has been selected to receive an additional retort machine worth RM45,000 under the Batu Pahat district smart agriculture and agricultural mechanisation project.

-- BERNAMA