FOOD SAFETY AND QUALITY DIVISION MINISTRY OF ...fsq.moh.gov.my/v6/xs/dl.php?filename=e57e971af064a59baee...(Part IV,Food Regulations 1985) 2.1. All required information on thelabel

1 Food Labelling Guidelines

FOOD SAFETY AND QUALITY DIVISION MINISTRY OF HEALTH OF MALAYSIA

GENERAL FOOD LABELLING GUIDELINES

(Part IV, Food Regulations 1985)

1. Introduction

Food labels serve to provide clear and concise information about a food product. They shall comply with all provisions of food labelling as stipulated in the Food Regulations 1985. These guidelines have been prepared to give guidance to the food industry and consumers on food labelling requirements under the Food Regulations 1985.

2. Languages to be used

2.1. All required information on the label shall be in Malay or English in

accordance with the following requirements: 2.1.1. In the case of food produced, prepared or packaged in Malaysia,

the label shall be in Malay and may include any translation thereof in any other language.

2.1.2. In the case of imported food, the label shall be in Malay or English, and in either case may include any translation thereof in any other language.

2.1.3. In the case of special purpose food and milk product under the

Regulation 84,90,91,94,95,97,98 and 99, whether imported or produced, prepared or packaged in Malaysia, the label shall be in Malay and may include any translation thereof in any other language.

2.2. The translation in any other language must convey the same

meaning as the original.


3. Appropriate designation/description of the food

3.1. The appropriate designation of the food shall contain the common

name of its principal ingredients.

Example: If a juice is made from apple, then the appropriate designation for the food shall be Apple Juice. The scientific name for apple is Malus domestica. However, the product shall not be labelled as Malus Domestica Juice.

Correct:

Incorrect:

3.2. In the case of mixed or blended food, the label shall bear the following:

“mixed (appropriate designation of the food)”; or “blended (appropriate designation of the food)”:

Provided that the word “mixed” or “blended” shall not be conjoined with the appropriate designation of any mixed or blended food which does not comply with the standard prescribed by these regulations.

Apple Juice Malus

Domestica

Juice


Example: Formulation of a product as follows: Green apple powder 82% Fructose 10% Radix lepidium meyenii (Maca) 5% Fructo-oligosaccharide (FOS) 3% The proposed designation of the food is as follows:

Example: Formulation of a product as follows: Pomegranate juice 59.2% Mangosteen juice 40.5% Conditioner 0.1% Preservative 0.1% Vitamin C 0.1% The proposed designation of the food is as follows:

3.3. The appropriate designation of the food shall be prominent in

height, visual emphasis and position so as to be conspicuous by comparison with any other matter appearing on the label.

3.4. If a food product has a specific standard which must be complied

with, then the appropriate designation of the food shall comply with the provisions prescribed by that standard.

Example:

Regulation 354- Flavoured Drink If a food product is categorised under the above standard, then the appropriate designation of the food product shall begin with the words “Flavoured drink”.

Botanical Beverage

Mix Green Apple

& Maca

Mixed Fruit Juice

Pomegranate and

Mangosteen


Regulation 356 – Botanical Beverage Mix If a food product is categorised under the above standard, then the appropriate designation of the food product shall begin with the words “botanical beverage mix” or “herbal beverage mix” followed by the name of the botanical or herbal source.

4. Additional statement below the appropriate designation of the food (if applicable)

4.1. Where the food contains beef or pork, or its derivatives, or lard, the

following statement shall be included:

“CONTAINS (state whether beef or pork, or its derivatives, or lard, as the case may be)” or any other words to this effect.

4.2. Where the food contains added alcohol, the following statement

shall be included:

“CONTAINS ALCOHOL”

or any other words to this effect. The words “CONTAINS ALCOHOL” shall be written in capital bold-faced lettering of a non-serif character not smaller than 6 point. Both these statements shall be inserted below the appropriate designation of the food.

Example:


5. List of ingredients

5.1. All ingredients, other than water, food additives and nutrient, used to

produce the food product shall be listed on the food label. 5.2. The ingredients shall be listed using the appropriate designation of

each ingredient. 5.3. Where the food contains two or more ingredients, the ingredients

shall be listed in descending order of proportion by weight.

Example: A food product contains the following ingredients: Ingredients %

Non-dairy creamer 43.25

Inulin 6.25

Young barley leaves 1.00

Instant coffee powder 12.50

Sugar 37.00

Total 100.00

The list of ingredients shall be written on the label in the following order:

5.4. Where the food contains edible fat or edible oil or both, the following shall be included:

(i) A statement as to the presence in that food of such edible fat

or edible oil, or both; and (ii) The common name of the animal or vegetable from which

such fat or oil is derived.

Ingredients: Non-dairy creamer, sugar, instant coffee powder, inulin and young barley leaves

Example

Vegetable oil (Palm oil, corn oil)


5.5 Where the food contain ingredient or the food additives that are derived from animal, the common name of such animal shall be stated on the label:

6 Labelling of foods known to cause hypersensitivity

Foods or ingredients known to cause hypersensitivity are as follows: a) Cereals containing gluten including wheat, rye, barley and oats; b) Nuts and nut products including peanut and soybean; c) Fish and fish products; d) Milk and milk products (including lactose); and e) Egg and egg products. Where the food contains ingredients that can cause hypersensitivity, the ingredients shall be written as follows:

Example Ingredients: Malt extract (barley), sugar, skimmed milk powder, cocoa, maltodextrin, palm oil and vitamin C

For further information, refer to the Guidelines on Labelling of Food Ingredients Known to Cause Hypersensitivity.

7 Statement on additives

Where food additives have been added to any food, the following statement shall be included:

“Contains permitted (state the type of the relevant food additive)”.

Example: If the formulation of a product has the following additives: Benzoic acid Tartrazine

Example

Collagen (Fish)


Pulegone Butylated hydroxy toulene (BHT)

then the following statement shall be included:

“Contains permitted preservative, colouring substances and flavoring substances.

Where permitted food conditioners have been added to the food, the following statement shall be included:

“Contains (state the class of food conditioner) as permitted food conditioner.”

Example: If the formulation of a product has the following food conditioners: Citric acid Acacia gum then the following statement shall be included:

“Contains acidity regulator and stabiliser as permitted food conditioners."

Where permitted flavour enhancers have been added to the food, the following statement shall be included:

“Contains (state the chemical name of the flavour enhancer) as permitted flavour enhancer.”

Example: If the formulation of a product has the following flavour enhancer: Monosodium L-glutamate then the following statement shall be included:

“Contains Monosodium L-glutamate as permitted flavour enhancer.”


8 Minimum net weight/volume/number of package content

(i) All food labels shall include a statement on the minimum net weight

or volume or number of the content of the package. (ii) The height of the lettering in the statement shall be uniform.

Correct: Net weight: 450 g

Minimum volume: 250 ml

Incorrect: Weight

Minimum volume : 500 ml

9 Name and address of manufacturer/importer/country of origin

All food labels shall contain the name and address of the manufacturer/importer/country of origin: 9.1 For food products produced, prepared or packed in Malaysia, the

food label shall indicate one of the following:

(i) Name and address of the manufacturer or packer; or (ii) Name and address of the owner of the rights of manufacture or

packing; or; (iii) Name and address of the agent in (i) and (ii).

9.2 For imported foods, the food label shall indicate:

(i) Name and address of the manufacturer overseas; or (ii) Name and address of the owner of the rights of manufacture or

packing; or (iii) Name and address of the agent in (i) and (ii); and (iv) Name and business address of the importer in Malaysia; and (v) Country of origin of the food.


Example of local product: Manufactured by: ABC Sdn Bhd No. 81, Jalan Puteri 5/3 Bandar Puteri, 47100 Puchong Selangor

Example of imported product: Manufactured by: XYZ International 10 Mahunga Drive, Mangere Bridge 1 Auckland 2021, New Zealand Imported by: XYZ Sdn Bhd Lot 16, Jalan 19/11 46300 Petaling Jaya Selangor Product of New Zealand

10 Date marking

10.1 The list of foods for which date marking is mandatory is as shown

in below:

1. Biscuits, bread. 2. Canned foods for infants and young children. 3. Cereal-based foods for infants and young children. 4. Chocolate, white chocolate and milk chocolate. 5. Coconut cream, coconut milk, coconut paste, coconut cream

powder and grated coconut. 6. Edible fat and edible oil other than margarine in an airtight

container. 7. Food additives that have an indefinite less than18 months. 8. Infant formula. 9. Liquid egg, liquid egg yolk, liquid egg white, dried eggs, egg yolks

and dried egg white 10. The low-energy food for any food that requires marking the date. 11. The meat in not airtight containers. 12. Milk and milk products excluding ice cream for less than 200 ml

volume and hard cheeses. 13. Pasteurized non-carbonated soft drinks and U.H.T non-carbonated

soft drinks 14. Nutrients are added or enhanced nutrient preparations are sold as

food. 15. Pasteurized fruit juice. 16. Pasteurized vegetable juice. 17. Peanut butter. 18. Sauce 19. Special purpose food. 20. Serikaya.


10.2 The date marking on food labels shall be shown in one of the

following formats:

Example: (i) “EXPIRY DATE or EXP DATE (insert the date, expressed in day,

month and year or in month and year)”;

or (ii) “USE BY (insert the date, expressed in day, month and year or in

month and year)";

or (iii) “CONSUME BY or CONS BY (insert the date, expressed in day,

month and year or in month and year)”;

or (iv) “BEST BEFORE or BEST BEF (insert the date, expressed in day,

month and year or in month and year)”.

10.3. The date marking shall be in capital bold-faced lettering of non-serif

character not smaller than 6 point. 10.4. Foods that are not listed in Para 10.1, may also bear a date

marking. However, the format shall be as prescribed by the food labelling regulations.

11 Pictorial illustration

Only the images of the ingredient may be shown on the label.

12 Statement on serving suggestion

The words “SERVING SUGGESTION” or “RECIPE” in capital letters not less than 6 point shall be set close to the image.


Example

SERVING SUGGESTION


13 Declaration of nutrition information

13.1 Foods that require mandatory labelling are as follows:

13.2. Information on nutritional value shall be expressed in the form of

per serving and per 100 g (ml).

13.3. The mandatory nutrients to be declared shall be energy, protein, carbohydrate and fat.


Example:

NUTRITION INFORMATION Serving size: 250 ml

Servings per package: 4 Per 100 ml Per serving (250 ml) Energy 35 kcal (147 kJ) 88 kcal (370 kJ) Carbohydrate 5.4 g 13.5 g Protein 1.2 g 3.0 g Fat 0.9 g 2.3 g

14 Declaration of sugar content

For ready-to-drink beverages, the sugar amount shall be declared in the following form:

“Carbohydrate …g Total sugars…g”

Example: Product name: Grape-Flavoured Drink

NUTRITION INFORMATION Serving size: 250 ml

Servings per package: 4 Per 100 ml Per serving (250 ml) Energy 35 kcal (147 kJ) 88 kcal (370 kJ) Carbohydrate 5.4 g 13.5 g Total sugars 4.5 g 11.4 g Protein 1.2 g 3.0 g Fat 0.9 g 2.3 g

15 Declaration of amount and type of fatty acids

If fatty acids are indicated on the label, then the four types of fatty acids, namely saturated fatty acid, monounsaturated fatty acid, polyunsaturated fatty acid and trans fatty acid shall be written in the following format:

“Fat …g consisting of Monounsaturated fatty acids …g Polyunsaturated fatty acids …g Saturated fatty acids …g Trans fatty acids …g”


Example:

NUTRITION INFORMATION Serving size : 200 ml Servings per package : 5 Per 100 ml Per serving

(200 ml) Energy 44 kcal 88 kcal Protein 0.5 g 1.0 g Carbohydrate 10.5 g 21.0 g Fat 5.8 g 11.6 g consisting of Monounsaturated fatty acids 2.1 g 4.2 g Polyunsaturated fatty acids 1.0 g 2.0 g Saturated fatty acids 2.4 g 4.8 g

Trans fatty acids 0.3 g 0.6 g NUTRITION INFORMATION Serving size : 200 ml Servings per package : 5 Per 100 ml Per serving

(200 ml) Energy 44 kcal 88 kcal Protein 0.5 g 1.0 g Carbohydrate 10.5 g 21.0 g Fat 5.8 g 11.6 g consisting of Saturated fatty acids 2.4 g 4.8 g Trans fatty acids 0.3 g 0.6 g

16 Declaration of nutrient value

Only vitamins and minerals listed in the nutrient reference values (NRV) and present in amounts of at least 5% per serving shall be declared in the nutrition information. If the amount is less than 5% per serving, then it shall not be declared in the nutrition information.


Example: The 5% NRV for each vitamin and mineral is as follows:

Unit NRV 5% NRV

Vitamin A µg 800 40

Vitamin D µg 5 0.25

Vitamin E mg 10 0.5

Vitamin C mg 60 3

Thiamine mg 1.4 0.07

Riboflavin mg 1.6 0.08

Niacin mg 18 0.9

Vitamin B6 mg 2 0.1

Folic acid µg 200 10

Vitamin B12 µg 1 0.05

Calcium mg 800 40

Magnesium mg 300 15

Iron mg 14 0.7

Zinc mg 15 0.75

Iodine µg 150 7.5

Protein g 50 2.5

17 Use of logo

The use of logo shall be supported by a valid certificate issued by a competent authority. If the certificate has not been issued or has expired, the use of the logo shall not be permitted and must be removed.

18 Prohibited statement/claim

Regulation 18(1A) Words to indicate grading, quality or superiority or any other words of similar meaning shall not appear on the label of any package of food unless such description of grading, quality or superiority conform to those established by the relevant authorities responsible for such grading.


Example :

1. Selected Ingredients 2. Quality 3. Satisfaction guaranteed 4. Quality guaranteed 5. Made from quality 6. Getting approval from the Ministry of Health 7. Using a reference letter of clasification (..) MOH / 163 / S /25 No JLD

Regulation 18(2) The word "pure" or any other words of similar meaning unless the food given strength, purity or quality prescribed by regulation.

Regulation 18(3) The word "compounded",”medicated”, "tonic" or "health" or any other words of similar meaning

Example : Food supplement Health food

Regulation 18(4) Claims on the absence of: (a) beef or pork or its derivatives, or lard or added alcohol if the food does not contain such ingredients; or (b) any additives or added nutrient the addition of which is prohibited in these Regulations.

Example : 1. No pork / no lard 2. No alcohol 3. Does not contain boric acid 4. Does not contain cyclamate


Regulation 18(6) The following claims are prohibited:

a. Claims stating that any particular food will provide an adequate source of all essential nutrients.

b. Claims implying that a balanced diet or a combination of a variety of foods cannot supply adequate amounts of all nutrients.

c. Claims that cannot be substantiated. d. Claims suggesting that a food can prevent, alleviate, treat or cure a

disease, disorder or other physiological function. e. Claims that cause the consumer to doubt the safety of similar food. f. Claims that arouse or exploit fear in the consumer.

Example :

1. Eat ABC products to meet your daily nutrient requirements. 2. These foods are good for diabetes 3. Increase immunity 4. For the development of the mind 5. Clinically tested / proven 6. Extensive research 7. Scientifically proven 8. The product does not contain genetically modified ingredients

Regulation 18 (7) The word "organic", "biological", "ecological", "biodynamic" or words of similar meaning unless the food conforms to the requirements specified in the Malaysian Standard MS 1529: The Production, Processing, Labelling and Marketing of Organically Produced Foods.

Regulation 18 (8) The word "nutritious" or words of similar meaning unless the food meets the requirements below:

(a) the food contains a range of nutrients including carbohydrate, fat, protein, vitamin and mineral;

(b) the food contains a substantial amount of energy of more than 40kcal per 100g or 20kcal per 100ml;

(c) the food contains source of protein not less than 5g per 100g or 2.5g per 100ml;

(d) the food contains at least four vitamins of an amount that meets the criteria for claim as source and two minerals (excluding sodium) of an amount that meets the criteria for claim as source; and


(e) the amount of the nutrients mentioned in paragraphs (a) and (d) is declared.

19 Statement on Probiotic culture

1. There shall be written in the label on a package of food to which

probiotic cultures have been added, the following item:

a)the words “CONTAINS (state quantity) OF PROBIOTIC CULTURES”;

(Note: The probiotic cultures added shall remain viable and the

viable probiotic count shall not be less than 106 cfu/ml or cfu/g

during the shelf life of such food.)

(b) the specification of genus, species and strain of the probiotic

cultures

(Note : Only the probiotic cultures specified in the Twelfth A

Schedule, Food regulation 1985 can be added to food)

(c) the direction for storage before and after package is opened.”

2. Where the media used for propagation and maintenance of the

probiotic cultures are derived from animal, the common name of such

animal shall be stated on the label of that food by using the words

“MEDIA USED FOR PROPAGATION OF PROBIOTIC CULTURES

DERIVED FROM (the common name of such animal)”.

3. There may be written in the label on a package of food to which

probiotic cultures have been added, the words “Probiotic cultures help in

improving intestinal or gut function” or any other words of similar

meaning.

Example :

Maltodextrin, apple, sugar, B.bifidum Bb-02 (CONTAINS (1 x 106 cfu/g) OF PROBIOTIC CULTURES Direction for storage: Keep under temperature 4°C before and after package is opened. MEDIA USED FOR PROPAGATION OF PROBIOTIC CULTURES DERIVED FROM COW.


20 Compliance and Penalties

As part of the Food Regulations 1985, violation of these regulations will incur a fine or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 years or both. Food products shall also comply with other regulations under the Food

Act 1983 and Food Regulations 1985 or risk incurring similar penalties.

Documents

FOOD SAFETY AND QUALITY DIVISION MINISTRY OF ...fsq.moh.gov.my/v6/xs/dl.php?filename=e57e971af064a59baee...(Part IV,Food Regulations 1985) 2.1. All required information on thelabel