KUANTAN – The use of retort technology to extend the shelf life of food will be implemented this year to encourage the contribution of food by the industry under the Food Donors Protection Act 2020.
Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said a pilot project using the retort machine will begin at Hotel Seri Malaysia in Kangar, Perlis, and Hotel Primula, Terengganu.
“This technology will enable excess food from hotels, which is still good and has not been touched, to be collected and processed using retort technology before being distributed to recipients in target groups.
“The merging of this act and the technology, as well as reception from the industry, will help realise our objective of zero food waste in future, in addition to practising sustainable living,” he said.
Nanta said this in a media statement issued in conjunction with the Aid Delivery Programme under Selected Companies Corporate Social Responsibility to 200 families in the Jelai state constituency in Sg Koyan 2, Lipis, about 337km from here today.
The Food Donors Protection Act 2020, which was gazetted on March 13, 2020, is aimed at encouraging food contribution to needy groups by giving protection to donors, especially corporations, without fear of being sued.
Commenting on today’s programme, Nanta said his ministry represents companies involved in delivering aid as such dried food and cooking and drink ingredients, which can help lighten the burdens of those affected by the floods earlier this year and the pandemic.
Among the participating companies are Mamee-Double Decker Distribution (M) Sdn Bhd, Gentle Supreme Sdn Bhd, Crispo-Tato Sdn Bhd, Fraser & Neave Holdings Bhd, Morris Food Industries Sdn Bhd, Central Sugars Refinery Sdn Bhd, Legasi Z Sufi Group of Companies, Indadi Utama (M) Sdn Bhd, and Vinda Group SEA.
“The ministry is very grateful for the involvement of industrial players, retailers and distributors, and hopes more will join the programme in future,” he said. – Bernama, February 20, 2021
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