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By SHYAFIQ DZULKIFLI   PETALING JAYA : Various strategies and policy enhancements could be implemented to strengthen the current sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) tax framework, say experts.   Consultant dietitian Ng Kar Foo said the 50 sen per litre SSB tax has had a mixed impact on consumer behavior and reformulation of sweetened beverage products by manufacturers.   “On one hand, the sugar tax has encouraged several beverage manufacturers to reformulate their products by lowering sugar content to avoid the tax.   “This has resulted in a broader range of lower-sugar or sugar-free drinks being available in the market, which is a positive step towards reducing sugar consumption,” Ng said.   However, he noted that the impact on consumer behavior has been less significant.   “While some consumers are more mindful of their choices, price sensitivity varies.   “For some, the 50 sens increase per litre is not a strong enough deterrent to significantly reduce s...

By SHYAFIQ DZULKIFLI   PETALING JAYA : Malaysia is among 124 countries worldwide that have implemented a sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) tax, according to the World Bank. The latest data from the World Bank’s Global SSB Tax Database reveals that 119 countries have imposed the tax at the national level, while five countries have implemented it at the sub-national level, amounting to 13 sub-national SSB taxes. In total, there are 132 verified SSB taxes, covering nearly half of the global population, although the extent of coverage varies.     Malaysia stands alongside five other Asean nations—Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Laos, Philippines, and Thailand—that have implemented a sugar tax to combat rising health issues like diabetes and obesity, positioning Malaysia as one of the regional frontrunners in this public health initiative. However, neighbouring countries like Indonesia, Myanmar, Singapore, and Vietnam have yet to introduce si...

  PETALING JAYA: The number of Malaysians who cannot afford a healthy diet is falling but many are still struggling to cope as food prices continue to go up. According to the World Bank’s data, the percentage of the country’s population who cannot afford to eat healthy fell from 4% in 2017 to 1.8% in 2022. Commenting on the trend, Khazanah Research Institute’s research associate Dr Teoh Ai Ni, the reduction is mainly due to numerous government policies. They include food subsidies, cash transfer for the poor, food assistance and food banks. The government has introduced several measures over the past few years to help lower-income earners. They include electricity rebate, Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah. Despite the drop, Teoh said the current situation cannot be taken lightly, as there was still 1.8% of the population, which is about 600,000, who could not afford to eat healthy. “We cannot underestimate the numbers because 600,000 is still a lot of people for Mala...

  PETALING JAYA: For many Malaysians struggling with the cost of living, the price of a healthy diet is getting harder to swallow as food prices continue to go up. In conjunction with the United Nations’ World Food Day tomorrow (Oct 16), The Star  went grocery shopping to find out how much it costs to eat healthy in the Klang Valley, where prices are typically higher compared to rural locations. We went to a popular grocery outlet in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, to buy ingredients needed to cook and prepare a week’s worth of healthy meals for one person, based on information in the Health Ministry’s Malaysia Dietary Guidelines. The ministry’s guide contains a menu of recommended meals along with ingredients, serving sizes and nutritional information. Calculating from the total bill, we found that it would cost a person an average of RM17.90 per day to eat healthy, based on the meals listed in the guide. Animal-source foods made up 30% of our bill, followed by vegetables (18.3%), s...

PETALING JAYA: The key ingredients of a healthy diet are an adequate budget, enough time and access to a variety of food options, say health-conscious Malaysians. Freelance trader Alyaa Diniah Sailey said she prioritises cooking at home for her family in order to eat healthy. "I will cook every day and make sure there is vegetable and protein in the meal. I also choose cheaper options for groceries, such as sardines instead of salmon, which is also rich in omega-3 fatty acids. "We also eat fruits everyday such as apples and mangos, and try our best to avoid junk food or sweet treats" said the 33-year-old who works from home. She said healthier meal options helps keep the family full longer. "It is not very costly when cooking at home but due to time constraints, it is not very sustainable. "If you want to have different types of vegetables and proteins for every meal, then you have to cook more than once a day. "Usually, I would just cook once and the fami...

SUGGESTED TEASER TEXT: Rising food prices affect many Malaysians, but how much does it really cost to eat healthy? We pored over the data, went grocery shopping and cooked some meals to find out. By DIYANA PFORDTEN and SHYAFIQ DZULKIFLI PETALING JAYA: For Malaysians struggling with the cost of living, the price of a healthy diet is getting harder to swallow as food prices continue to go up. The question is – how much does it cost to eat healthy? Data from the World Bank offers one estimate, albeit at the lower end of the price range. According to the international financial institution, the minimum cost of a healthy diet in Malaysia is RM5.94 per person per day. Such an amount will buy the least expensive locally available foods to meet requirements for energy and food-based dietary guidelines for one person. According to the World Bank, fruits make up the biggest portion of the cost for a healthy diet, at 24.9% or RM1.35 a day, followed by anima...