Kuala Lumpur: The Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) has urged the government to introduce a comprehensive Food Waste Act to tackle the alarming rate of food wastage in Malaysia, while also encouraging Malaysians to grow their own vegetables and herbs to cope with rising food prices. CAP education officer N.V. Subbarow said such a law would enable Malaysia to address environmental, social and economic challenges related to food waste, while supporting its commitment to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Malaysia throws away about 17,000 tonnes of food every day, and more than 3,000 tonnes of it are still edible. Subbarow emphasized the need for a dedicated law to reduce this wastage and encourage sustainable habits. “We live in a country blessed with delicious food, but unfortunately, we often discard edible items without thinking, and this contributes significantly to national food waste,” he explained.
Subbarow stressed that an effective law is essential to change societal habits by encouraging responsible consumption and educating the public. He highlighted France’s pioneering law from 2016, which bans supermarkets from discarding unsold edible food, requiring them to donate it to charities instead, suggesting that Malaysia could learn from such examples.
He also expressed support for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s recent directive for government departments to cease using imported goods, particularly food, at official events. Subbarow described the move as timely and complementary to efforts to reduce waste and support local producers. “Prioritising local produce empowers farmers and reduces the environmental cost of long-haul food transport,” he said.
To help alleviate rising vegetable prices, Subbarow encouraged Malaysians to grow their own food, noting that many plants, including fruiting varieties, leafy greens, and herbs, can be cultivated even in limited spaces like balconies or small backyards. He also cited a projection by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations, which anticipates a 70 percent increase in global food demand by 2050, driven by rising consumer incomes in regions such as Asia, Eastern Europe, and Latin America.
“This further highlights the urgency for Malaysia to adopt a food waste law and promote self-sufficiency through home gardening,” he concluded.