PETALING JAYA: Eating out may soon be cheaper and healthier with the choice of paying less to exclude sugar from drinks at eateries to be in the hands of the patrons themselves, says Fuziah Salleh.
The Deputy Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister said this campaign was part of its newly launched 'Jom Kosong' campaign which will see many food and retail businesses slowly implement the choice of sugarless drinks for cheaper prices to their customers.
"Customers will also have the option of adding sugar to their drinks with additional cost, similar to adding drink toppings.
"This campaign can help to educate the public on the financial cost of sugar to help them make healthier choices.
"Essentially, we are empowering people to become more health-conscious users while at the same time, teaching them to save money by cutting unnecessary costs," she said in her speech during the campaign’s launch at a cafe in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday (Sept 11).
Fuziah said the ministry also hopes to encourage Malaysians, who love to eat out, to switch to sugar-free drinks for a healthier and more affordable lifestyle.
“This will help spread awareness on the need and how to cut excessive sugar intake in drinks, which is one of the main causes of obesity among the people,” she said.
To support this push, Fuziah said all products containing sugar would also be immediately removed from the list of discounted items under the ministry’s 'Jualan Rahmah Madani' programme.
She added that the campaign will be further expanded through cooperation with the Small and Medium Enterprises Association of Malaysia (Samenta), Malaysian Muslim Restaurant Owners Association, Malaysian Indian Restaurant Owners Association and Malaysia Singapore Coffee Shop Proprietors’ General Association.
Retail associations like the Malaysia Retail Chain Association, Malaysia Retailers Association and Bumiputera Retailers Organisation will also participate in the campaign.
“Samenta in particular has targeted to have 10% of its 4,700 members implement the campaign by this year," she said, adding that it hoped to increase the target to 30% next year.
