Malaysia to Amend Food Regulations 1985

On February 4, 2025, Malaysia’s Food Safety and Quality Programme (PKKM) under the Ministry of Health (MOH) initiated a public consultation regarding amendments to three regulations under the Food Act 1983, namely, the Food Regulations 1985, the Food Hygiene Regulations 2009, and the Food (Compounding of Offences) Regulations Amendment 2017.

1. Revisions to the Food Regulations 1985

Overseas food premises are required to implement a recognized food safety assurance programme.

The draft introduces a new provision that underscores the importance of implementing a food safety assurance programme for food premises. It states, “No one shall import, prepare, advertise for sale, or sell any imported food unless the food is prepared at food premises that operate a food safety assurance program recognized by the Food Safety and Quality Program.”

Specifically, a food safety assurance program refers to a planned and documented system of practices designed to ensure that a particular type of food will not cause harm to consumers when consumed. It may include, but is not limited to, Food Safety Systems Management (FSSM), Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP), or Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). This new provision aligns with the requirements outlined in the Food Hygiene Regulations 2009, which stipulate that the proprietor, owner, or occupier of food premises (i.e., all domestic facilities involved in food manufacturing in Malaysia) must establish and maintain a food safety assurance program.

As disclosed by the authority, the Food Safety and Quality Programme reserves the right to inspect or audit the premises to ensure compliance with this requirement, either through prior consultation with the competent authorities of the exporting country or foreign food premises. Importers must provide or maintain documentation verifying that the premises adhere to an acceptable food safety assurance programme. Any non-compliance may result in enforcement actions or rejection of food imports.

The Sixteenth Schedule concerning pesticide residues is to be amended.

The draft includes the addition of 28 new Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs) for 23 pesticides, alongside the removal of three pesticides: carbofuran, chlorpyrifos and paraquat.

Details of the proposed revisions are outlined in the following table:

Status	No.	Pesticide	Food	Maximum Residue Level (MRLs) in food (mg/kg)
Newly added	1	Abamectin	Cabbage	0.05
	2	Ametoctradin	Watermelon	0.3
	2	Ametoctradin	Chili	2
	3	Ametryn	Sugarcane	0.03
	4	Dimethomorph	Chili	1
	4	Dimethomorph	Watermelon	0.3
	5	Famoxadone	Tomato	0.8
	6	Isocycloseram	Milled rice	0.01
			Cabbage	0.3
			Chili	0.2
	7	Isoprothiolane	Milled rice	1.5
	8	Propanil	Milled rice	0.01
	9	Quinclorac	Milled rice	0.5
	10	Spiropidion	Eggplant	0.5
	11	Thiamethoxam	Milled rice	0.01
	11	Thiamethoxam	Mustard	5
	12	Tiafenacil	Palm oil	0.02
	13	Afidopyropen	Chili	0.3
	14	Boscalid	Cucumber	3
	15	Cyflumetofen	Chili	1.5
	16	Cypermethrin	Jackfruit	0.4
	17	Fenoxanil	Milled rice	0.01
	18	Flumioxazin	Palm oil	0.01
	19	Mefentrifluconazole	Milled rice	0.3
	20	Permethrin	Okra	1
	21	Pyraclostrobin	Cucumber	0.5
	22	Tebuconazole	Mango	0.3
	23	Trifludimoxazin	Palm oil	0.01
Removed	1	Carbofuran (Carbofuran and 3-hydroxy-carbofuran, specified as carbofuran)	Milled rice	0.2
	2	Chlorpyrifos	Starfruit	1
			Okra	0.2
			Milled rice	0.1
			Cocoa beans	0.05
			Chili	2
			Maize	0.05
			Guava	1
			Coconut/coconut oil	0.5
			Cabbage	1
			Pepper (black, white)	1
			Palm oil	0.5
			Mustards	1
			Tomato	0.5
	3	Paraquat (paraquat cation)	Coconut/coconut oil	0.1
	3	Paraquat (paraquat cation)	Palm oil	0.1

2. Revisions to the Food Hygiene Regulations 2009 and Food (Compounding of Offences) Regulations Amendment 2017

The changes to these two regulations are not significant and will not directly or greatly impact product compliance. The revisions primarily involve updates to definitions, responsibilities of local operators, and other administrative matters.

Feedback Submission

Feedback can be submitted via this link prior to March 6, 2025.

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