Sugar-Free Drinks At Mamak Restaurants Are Now 20 Sen Cheaper
A war on sugar.
By Celine Low — 19 Sep 2024, 11:53 AM
Drinks at mamak restaurants will now cost 20 sen less if you order them without sugar
Under the 'Jom Kosong' campaign launched by the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN) on 13 September, this initiative aims to reduce the nation's sugar intake, particularly when dining out.
According to Bernama, this initiative targets mamak restaurant chains and tom yam eateries that are commonly frequented by the public. The government also plans to collaborate with rest and service (R&R) area operators and hypermarkets with food courts.
"We have already seen two franchise chains, Secret Recipe and Tealive, begin implementing this initiative by introducing zero-calorie products," KPDN deputy minister Fuziah Salleh said.
Tealive and Secret Recipe will be offering a ZERO original milk tea with konjac pearls, and Secret Recipe will provide a ZERO chocolate indulgence cake, both with 50% less sugar, on AirAsia flights.
Malaysia has the highest number of diabetes cases in Southeast Asia
In a Facebook post, Fuziah said over 20% of Malaysians, or one in five, are diabetic. The average Malaysian consumes about 26 teaspoons of sugar daily, far exceeding the recommended intake of just six teaspoons.
As part of the campaign, all sugar-containing food and beverage products will be excluded from discounts under the Rahmah MADANI Sales Programme starting 1 October.
Additionally, a new sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) tax will be introduced in the upcoming Budget 2025, reported The Star. Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said this decision follows the success of the previous Budget 2024, which raised the SSB tax by 10 sen to 50 sen per litre. This move saw a 9.25% reduction in sugary drink consumption nationwide.
