SUMMARY OF FOOD QUALITY AND FOOD CRISIS IN MALAYSIA

Why do we need Food Quality?

a.       To prevent public from any related food hazards

b.      To motivate public on safe food quality

c.       To protect consumers? health

d.      Ensure a fair trade practice among traders and consumers

How can we ensure Food Quality?

a.       Make sure all food are processed and manufactured in a sanitary manner

b.      All food compliance with quality standards

c.       Halal food certificate awarded to premises

d.      Free from contaminated additives

e.       Food handler training programs by Ministry of Health

f.       Malaysian Food Acts 1985 Section 2, Section 10 and Section 13

g.      Section 2 = definition of food , section 10 = food hygiene law to impose RM5k and section 13 = food poisonous fine imposed up to RM10k and imprisonment up to 10 years

h.      Food inspection

i.        Consumers obtain sufficient information on food products

Examples of Food Borne Diseases

a.       Hepatitis A

b.      Dysentry

c.       Food poisoning

d.      Typhoid

e.       Cholera

Important Aspects of Quality Food

a.       Clean environment

b.      Clean water

c.       Drainage

d.      Pest control

e.       Quality Source

f.       Utensils

g.      Waste management

What is Food Crisis?

a.       Price – when domestic price is higher than international price, causes low demand on food

b.      Shortage – usually due to suppliers? greed and sometimes misleading information about insufficient food supply. Hoarding occurred when certain suppliers ought to keep excessive food stocks consequence to the shortage of food supply. So said the great Gandhi, ?It is enough for the needs but not the man?s greed?

c.       Nutrition Values – due to the concern reducing production cost, manufacture tends to reduce the quality and quantity of fundamental nutrition required on the output products

What are the causes of Food Crisis?

a.       Bad weathers – harsh winters, droughts, typhoons

b.      Petroleum price increases hence jeopardize the nitrogen based fertilizers to increase as well

c.       Low labour power on food productive

d.      Once there is high population, high demand of food is required

e.       Low incentives on food production

f.       Low commodity resources on food production

g.      Trades and import constrained

h.      Bio-stresses

What are the solution to Food Crisis?

a.       Agro-biotechnology revolution

b.      Research and Development in crops improving taste and nutrient values (quality and quantity)

c.       Bioplastics, biofuel, bioremendation and biotechnology on crops

d.      Malaysia Rice Policy – to ensure food security for everyone

e.       World Food Program

f.       Supply chain management in mitigation plan

g.      Malaysian Tenth Plan, encourages agriculture where agriculture is a business

What are the impacts of Food Crisis?

a.       Domestic price increases

b.      Inflation occur

c.       Low production of food commodity

d.      Prices on various items vary in all places

e.       Malnutrition will occurs on affected countries

f.       Food scarce on poorer countries

g.      Medication bills will increase where health problem arises

h.      Lack of agriculture investment, resulting nation?s economy growth

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