Unsweetened Drinks To Get 'Sweeter' With 10 Sen Off
The price reduction is part of a government campaign to encourage Malaysians to reduce their sugar intake.
By Sadho Ram — 22 Jul 2024, 04:47 PM
Eateries will reduce the price of unsweetened drinks by 10 sen in line with the government's campaign to promote healthier lifestyles among Malaysians
Malaysian Muslim Restaurant Owners Association (PRESMA) vice-president Abdul Mukthahir M Ibrahim said some 3,500 restaurant chains under the association have agreed to reduce the prices of unsweetened tea and coffee as part of the "Kurang Gula, Kurang Harga" (Less Sugar, Lower Price) campaign, reported Sinar Daily.
According to him, the price reduction will apply to both hot and iced unsweetened tea and coffee. He explained that these beverages were chosen for the campaign's initial phase due to simpler cost adjustments compared to other drinks.
"For milk-based drinks, if we reduce the sweetness, we will use less condensed milk, but we will need to increase the use of evaporated milk, which is more expensive than condensed milk.
"Similarly, for Milo O, we need to add more Milo, so it's not suitable for a price reduction," he said.
Abdul Mukthahir said that while PRESMA has also proposed a "Say No to Sugar" campaign to further reduce sugar consumption among Malaysians, the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN) has yet to make a final decision.
Earlier, KPDN Deputy Minister Fuziah Salleh had announced the campaign to encourage Malaysians to reduce their sugar intake
Fuziah said the campaign would be drafted in collaboration with restaurant associations and industry representatives.
"This initiative is being meticulously drafted to foster a healthier lifestyle among Malaysians, while also alleviating the financial burden of medical treatments and medications for diseases linked to unhealthy and imbalanced eating habits, particularly excessive sugar consumption," she was quoted as saying by FMT.
Meanwhile, the Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (FOMCA) has called on the government to make the campaign a national priority
Its president Datuk Dr N Marimuthu emphasised the need for a comprehensive campaign involving multiple ministries to effectively reduce sugar consumption and promote public health.
"We've been trying to reduce sugar [consumption] for 60 years but haven't succeeded. So, let's not deceive ourselves. If we're going to run a campaign, it must be comprehensive and integrated across all ministries.
"KPDN should involve the Education Ministry and the Health Ministry. It needs to become a national agenda, not just a KPDN initiative," he told Sinar Daily.
Last month, the Health Ministry revealed that over half of all Malaysian adults are either overweight or obese:
