Malaysia joins list of countries banning junk and ultra-processed foods in schools
Key takeaways
- Malaysia bans 12 junk food categories in schools, from fried snacks to sugary drinks.
- Childhood obesity rates in Malaysia have doubled since 1996, with UNICEF warning that many foods marketed for young children in Southeast Asia are ultra-processed.
- Malaysia joins Mexico, Jamaica, Spain, Wales, and Ukraine in reforming school meals, reflecting the importance of improving food quality in schools to tackle child obesity.
Malaysia has banned junk and processed foods from being sold in canteens to promote healthy eating habits among school students. The products span 12 categories, the Education Ministry and Health Ministry’s nutrition division announces.
The Consumers’ Association of Penang shares that the first category covers expired foods or foods shaped like toys or sold with a game, which are banned under the Food Regulations 1985.
Additionally, processed foods like fried potatoes, burgers, sausages, nuggets, and processed meat on skewers are banned. The association notes that fish, chicken, or meatball snacks that are not proper dishes are also included. “Junk food” extends to chips, candies and chocolates, cream-filled or sugar-coated foods, and instant noodles, porridge, and soups.
Alcoholic F&B and energy, isotonic, or botanical drinks that are herbal, flavored, carbonated, or fruit drinks containing less than 35% by weight of fruit juice content are restricted as well. Tea and coffee are prohibited except for teachers.
The government has also banned specific drinks, ice cream, confectionery, and toppings such as flavored syrups, powdered 3-in-1 drink mixes, creamers, and whipping cream.
According to a systematic review and meta-analysis in Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics, childhood overweight, obesity, and excess weight prevalence in Malaysia doubled over 26 years (1996 and 2022).
Meanwhile, a UNICEF report, Feeding Profit, recently stated that childhood obesity and overweight have surpassed underweight for the first time.
It revealed that 48% of commercially produced complementary foods marketed as appropriate for children under three are ultra-processed in seven Southeast Asian countries. “Such practices raise serious concerns about the quality and safety of these foods for children during a critical period in their growth and development.”
Nutrition Insight previously connected with UNESCO, which found that nearly half of the world’s primary school children receive school meals. However, food quality remains a critical gap.
Countries banning junk food
This year, Mexico banned school junk food to tackle the obesity crisis, an initiative led by President Claudia Sheinbaum. The country also promotes healthy alternatives, such as regional and seasonal plants without added sugar or salt, plain water, and nutrition education, while overseeing food preparation and vendor compliance.
Wales, UK, was seeking to reform school meals to support balanced diets and well-being, while Ukraine expanded kitchen hubs to strengthen school nutrition services.
Jamaica implemented the National School Nutrition Policy, which limits the sale and marketing of sugary drinks and ultra-processed foods in schools and mandates nutrition education. Meanwhile, Spain mandated that all schools serve five healthy meals weekly, regardless of income level, and barred junk food sales on campus.
Last month, the UK announced upcoming government policy changes in a year that will enable all children in households in England receiving Universal Credit to be eligible for free school meals. However, in Aotearoa, New Zealand, experts pointed out that local government-funded school lunches are falling short on nutrition and quality standards.
