THE Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP) has called on the government to enact a Food Waste Act to address the country’s mounting food wastage problem, which it warns has reached alarming levels.
CAP education officer N.V. Subbarow (pic) said such legislation would enable Malaysia to confront environmental, social, and economic challenges, while reinforcing the country’s commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“Malaysia throws away around 17,000 tonnes of food every day, and more than 3,000 tonnes of that is still edible. That’s why we need a specific law to reduce this waste,” he told Bernama after appearing as a guest on Bernama TV’s talk show ‘Paarvai’ at Wisma Bernama last Friday.
Subbarow stressed that many Malaysians remain unaware of the seriousness of the issue. “We live in a country blessed with delicious food, but unfortunately, we often discard edible food without much thought. This has become one of the main causes of growing food waste in Malaysia.”
“The only way to change public habits is through effective legislation that encourages more responsible behaviour and educates the public,” he added.
He cited France’s 2016 law banning supermarkets from discarding edible food—requiring them instead to donate such items to charities—as a model Malaysia should follow.
“Malaysia should adopt similar steps,” he said.
Subbarow also welcomed Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s recent directive for government departments to avoid using imported goods, particularly food, at official events. He described the move as timely and in line with efforts to reduce waste and promote local products.
“We fully support the Prime Minister’s call. Prioritising local products can support our farmers while also lowering the environmental impact of long-distance food transport,” he said.
To ease the burden of rising vegetable prices, Subbarow encouraged Malaysians to grow their own produce, noting that many vegetables and herbs can be cultivated even in limited spaces such as balconies or backyards.
He also highlighted projections by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) that global food demand could rise by 70 percent by 2050, driven by rising incomes in Asia, Eastern Europe, and Latin America. - June 22, 2025
