A law on food waste will be formulated upon completion of a study on it, said Deputy Prime Minister Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.

She said the formulation of such a law was important in efforts by the government to stop the habit of wasting food in the society.

“On an average, a Malaysian throws almost one kilogramme of food daily... as such, the government is studying carefully from various aspects the need to formulate the Food Waste Act,” she said when closing the Malaysian Agriculture, Horticulture and Agro-Tourism Exhibition (Maha) 2018 in Serdang today.

Also present was Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Minister Salahuddin Ayub.

Wan Azizah said by having such a law, the society would be indirectly taught to appreciate and not to waste food.

The government, she said, was also considering imposing fines on customers at hotels and restaurants who wasted food.

Wan Azizah added that the government, through the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry, would also implement the Food Bank Programme to address the issue of food waste in shopping centres.

The programme, to be implemented nationwide beginning early next year, would see food surplus obtained from hypermarkets such as bread, vegetables and fruits distributed to those in need.

“By not wasting food, I'm sure it will indirectly help to reduce the cost of living for the people," she said.

Business potentials

On Maha, Wan Azizah said she hoped the biennial event would not merely serve as a platform to exhibit agriculture produce and agro-food products, but to be optimised by the exhibitors to further promote and develop their products.

As for the visitors, she hoped the success of the participating farmers, breeders and fishermen, as well as the agro-based industry entrepreneurs, would inspire them to venture into agricultural entrepreneurship.

The deputy prime minister also expressed confidence that the success of the agriculture entrepreneurs at international level as featured at Maha would erode the negative perceptions of the agro-food sector in the society.

Meanwhile, Salahuddin said his ministry will carry out a study on introducing food waste law in an effort to curb food wastage and reduce food waste in the country.

He said the study would involve several other ministries, including the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs.

He said Malaysian wasted a lot of food, especially during festivals.

"This happens especially during Ramadan; hotels or resorts that organise feasts or buffets throw away so much food,” he added.

In another development, Salahuddin said a total of 26 memoranda of understanding, worth RM2.8 billion, were signed during Maha 2018.

“What is more impressive is that we have successfully created 2,083 business potentials through the business matching programme," he added.

He said 3.2 million people had visited the expo until this morning and expected the number to increase to 3.5 million, as was targetted, by end of the day.

- Bernama