ALMOST one in two respondents in a recent survey reported that they faced financial constraints in purchasing food over the past three months, said UCSI Poll Research Centre.
It said that a total of 682 (49%) respondents said they experienced financial constraints for food purchases.
As a result of their tight financial situation, out of the 682 respondents, 51% did not eat healthy and nutritious food, 37% skipped meals, and 12% had to borrow money from friends.
The centre conducted a poll on 1,381 Malaysians aged 18 and above recently to gauge their current perceptions of food security.
UCSI University’s Food Science and Nutrition Department head Asst Prof Tan Choon Hui said Malaysia must do more to improve food security.
She said that food security challenges in Malaysia include socioeconomic barriers, urbanisation, population growth, climate change, overdependence on imports, lack of manpower and food wastage.
“We need to enhance government policies in food security and waste management, and consumers’ awareness.
“There must be better utilisation of food technology in the food industry that could improve food security in Malaysia,” she said in a statement.
The UCSI poll also asked respondents about the availability and costs of common food items in Malaysia.
Chicken was said to be the most costly food item at 67%, followed by fish at 45%, and eggs at 41%.
Compared with last year, the prices of most common food items in Malaysia have increased significantly, said UCSI.
Respondents were also asked about common cooking essentials that are too expensive in Malaysia.
Sugar was at the top of the list with 64%, followed by pepper with 62%, and cooking oil with 40%.
When asked about their perception of a balanced diet, UCSI said the respondents in the 2024 study demonstrated a better understanding of the actual meaning of a balanced diet than the previous year, with the percentage increasing from 26% to 68%.
The survey also asked the respondents about the frequency of preparing their own meals.
Those who prepared their own meals increased from 28% in 2023 to 47% this year. – June 7, 2024.
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