The Food Group of the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) has pledged to work with advertising associations to limit advertisements of products that do not meet the criteria of nutritional value for children aged 12 and below.

mca youth agm 201012 liow tiong lai pc Health Minister Liow Tiong Lai said this cooperation was part of the effort to limit the exposure of children to the marketing of foodstuff and beverages with high fat, sugar and salt content.

With these guidelines, only products that meet the nutrition criteria would be advertised on television or the print media, or marketed in schools, Liow added.

Speaking to reporters after chairing the 11th National Food Safety and Nutrition Council meeting in Putrajaya today, Liow said the meeting also agreed that the implementation of the guidelines by the industry players would be self-regulatory, by way of a pledge.

He said such cooperation was crucial to address problems of non-communicable diseases affecting children, such as obesity and chronic illnesses, due to their unhealthy diet.

The meeting today, Liow said, also called on owners of food premises, including factories, restaurants, canteens and those involved in food catering business, to register with the Health Ministry.

Liow said that as of Oct 15 this year, only 41,066 food premises were registered with the ministry, adding that registration could be made through the website .

Food premises owners could also do so by contacting the health offices in their respective

states or districts, he added.

- Bernama