Malaysian Parliament boosts health DG authority to publicly flag unsafe food

In Kuala Lumpur, Dewan Rakyat adopted the Food (Amendment) Bill 2026, revising the Food Act 1983 to expand the health director-general’s powers. The reforms enable the director-general to publish details of food items that breach the law based on laboratory analysis, using the Food Safety and Quality Programme website and social media, without first seeking a court order. A new Section 11A allows authorities to shut down establishments that sell food containing substances harmful to health.

Further provisions empower public officers to collect samples of food-contact materials, compel witnesses, and retrieve electronic records to support thorough investigations, while tackling false advertising and labelling. Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the measures aim to increase consumer confidence and accelerate public warnings. The amendment received support from 35 MPs across the chamber.