“50.1% of M’sians are overweight” – Calorie Count Menu Board to be Implemented in 2023

Malaysia is well known for its plethora of food choices and one of the most difficult things would be choosing what to eat. Unfortunately, many Malaysians would then adopt this unhealthy mindset where they would just order whatever they’d like regardless.

Just recently, Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin mentioned that, “About 41.4% of government workers and approximately 50.1% of Malaysians are overweight.”

Hence, according to Khairy, the implementation of calorie count menu boards will aim to help build a healthier society and that this would be the best way to see if there are any positive effects.

Other than that, the Ministry of Health (MOH) will also be working with the nutrition division to come up with calorie intake menu boards.

“As of now, we are still identifying the restaurants and cafeterias around Putrajaya that are willing to participate. The government aims that by next year, this concept will be introduced to the restaurants within Putrajaya, as well as fast-food chains and ministry cafeterias,” said Khairy.

Here’s what you need to know

• Pilot project for implementing the calorie count menus will run for 6 months to a year,
• If successful, the calorie count menu will be implemented in all eateries around Malaysia,

• Restaurant owners wouldn’t have to worry about hiring professionals to help with calorie count as all information will be provided by MOH with the help from the nutrition division,
• Determining calories in restaurants will be done by experts in the Nutrition Division by looking at the ingredients needed to cook the dishes.

Lastly, Khairy mentioned that, “If the pilot project has shown change in community behavior, the menu labelling will be made mandatory, and I hopes that eateries around will show cooperation.”

Do you think this is a good step?

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