Probe finds gummy product labelling incomplete
PUTRAJAYA: The Health Ministry’s investigation into the gummy candy case found that it violated labelling requirements set under the Food Act 1983.
The candy, the size of a ping-pong ball, failed to have the proper labelling requirements set under the Food Regulations 1985 of the Act.
In a statement, the ministry said the product is prohibited from being sold online and in local markets due to the labelling.
Enforcement actions, including product seizures, will be carried out in accordance with the regulations. The ministry said the size or shape of food products is not regulated under the Act through the Food Safety and Quality Programme, except for “controlled jelly confectionery”.
Products with a diameter of 45mm or less must be labelled with the warning: “WARNING: MAY POSE A CHOKING HAZARD” and the statement “NOT SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN UNDER 3 YEARS OLD”.
Meanwhile, the Education Ministry (MOE) has taken steps to educate students and parents about the importance of choosing safe foods, said Education director-general Azman Adnan.
He said awareness is important following the recent death of a 10-year-old student in Butterworth who choked on gummy candy.
“MOE sees this (incident) as a priority so that such things do not happen again,” he told the media after delivering his message in conjunction with the opening of the 2025/2026 school session here yesterday.
He stressed that school canteens under the supervision of the Education Ministry do not sell food such as gummy candies and, in fact, the candies cannot be sold as gazetted by the Health Ministry.
Azman said the issue of hawkers outside school premises would be closely monitored by the state education departments (JPN) and schools should contact the local authorities if they notice a hawker within a 40m radius of the school fence.
