KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 8 — The government has proposed expanding the powers of the Director-General of Health to publish information on food that does not comply with the Food Act 1983 (Act 281) or regulations made under it, without a court order.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the proposal under the Food (Amendment) Bill 2026 would allow such information to be published through print or electronic media in the interest of public safety.
“The existing provisions under Act 281 are no longer adequate to address current food safety challenges and protect public health,” he said when tabling the bill for second reading in the Dewan Rakyat today.
He said the 39-clause bill also proposed amendments to Section 12 of Act 281 to allow convictions under the act to be published through print or electronic media.
