Food Labelling Guidelines 1

FOOD SAFETY AND QUALITY DIVISION

MINISTRY OF HEALTH OF MALAYSIA

GENERAL FOOD LABELLING GUIDELINES

(Part IV, Food Regulations 1985)

1. Introduction

Food labels serve to provide clear and concise information about a food
product. They shall comply with all provisions of food labelling as
stipulated in the Food Regulations 1985.

These guidelines have been prepared to give guidance to the food

industry and consumers on food labelling requirements under the Food
Regulations 1985.

2. Languages to be used

2.1. All required information on the label shall be in Malay or English in

accordance with the following requirements:

2.1.1. In the case of food produced, prepared or packaged in Malaysia,

the label shall be in Malay and may include any translation thereof
in any other language.

2.1.2. In the case of imported food, the label shall be in Malay or English,
and in either case may include any translation thereof in any other
language.

2.1.3. In the case of special purpose food and milk product under the
Regulation 84,90,91,94,95,97,98 and 99, whether imported or
produced, prepared or packaged in Malaysia, the label shall be in
Malay and may include any translation thereof in any other
language.

2.2. The translation in any other language must convey the same
meaning as the original.
 Food Labelling Guidelines 2

3. Appropriate designation/description of the food

3.1. The appropriate designation of the food shall contain the common
name of its principal ingredients.

Example:

If a juice is made from apple, then the appropriate designation for the food
shall be Apple Juice. The scientific name for apple is Malus domestica.
However, the product shall not be labelled as Malus Domestica Juice.

Correct: Incorrect:

Apple Juice Malus

Domestica
Juice

3.2. In the case of mixed or blended food, the label shall bear the
following:
“mixed (appropriate designation of the food)”; or “blended
(appropriate designation of the food)”:
Provided that the word “mixed” or “blended” shall not be conjoined
with the appropriate designation of any mixed or blended food
which does not comply with the standard prescribed by these
regulations.
 Food Labelling Guidelines 3

Example: Example:

Formulation of a product as Formulation of a product as follows:

follows:
Pomegranate juice 59.2%
Green apple powder Mangosteen juice 40.5%
82% Conditioner 0.1%
Fructose 10% Preservative 0.1%
Radix lepidium meyenii (Maca) 5% Vitamin C 0.1%
Fructo-oligosaccharide (FOS)
3% The proposed designation of the
food is as follows:
The proposed designation of the
Mixed Fruit Juice
food is as follows:
Pomegranate and
Mangosteen
Botanical
Beverage
Mix
Green Apple
& Maca

3.3. The appropriate designation of the food shall be prominent in

height, visual emphasis and position so as to be conspicuous by
comparison with any other matter appearing on the label.

3.4. If a food product has a specific standard which must be complied

with, then the appropriate designation of the food shall comply with
the provisions prescribed by that standard.

Example:

Regulation 354- Flavoured Drink

If a food product is categorised under the above standard, then the

appropriate designation of the food product shall begin with the words
“Flavoured drink”.
 Food Labelling Guidelines 4

Regulation 356 – Botanical Beverage Mix

If a food product is categorised under the above standard, then the

appropriate designation of the food product shall begin with the words
“botanical beverage mix” or “herbal beverage mix” followed by the
name of the botanical or herbal source.

Additional statement below the appropriate designation of the food

4.
(if applicable)

4.1. Where the food contains beef or pork, or its derivatives, or lard, the
following statement shall be included:

“CONTAINS (state whether beef or pork, or its derivatives, or lard,

as the case may be)”

or any other words to this effect.

4.2. Where the food contains added alcohol, the following statement
shall be included:

“CONTAINS ALCOHOL”

or any other words to this effect.

The words “CONTAINS ALCOHOL” shall be written in capital

bold-faced lettering of a non-serif character not smaller than 6
point.

Both these statements shall be inserted below the appropriate

designation of the food.

Example:
 Food Labelling Guidelines 5

5. List of ingredients

5.1. All ingredients, other than water, food additives and nutrient, used to
produce the food product shall be listed on the food label.

5.2. The ingredients shall be listed using the appropriate designation of

each ingredient.

5.3. Where the food contains two or more ingredients, the ingredients
shall be listed in descending order of proportion by weight.

Example:

A food product contains the following ingredients:

Ingredients %
Non-dairy creamer 43.25
Inulin 6.25
Young barley leaves 1.00
Instant coffee powder 12.50
Sugar 37.00
Total 100.00

The list of ingredients shall be written on the label in the following order:

Ingredients:
Non-dairy creamer, sugar, instant coffee powder, inulin and young barley
leaves

5.4. Where the food contains edible fat or edible oil or both, the
following shall be included:

(i) A statement as to the presence in that food of such edible fat

or edible oil, or both; and

(ii) The common name of the animal or vegetable from which

such fat or oil is derived.

Example

Vegetable oil (Palm oil, corn oil)

 Food Labelling Guidelines 6

5.5 Where the food contain ingredient or the food additives that are
derived from animal, the common name of such animal shall be
stated on the label:

Example

Collagen (Fish)

6 Labelling of foods known to cause hypersensitivity

Foods or ingredients known to cause hypersensitivity are as follows:

a) Cereals containing gluten including wheat, rye, barley and oats;

b) Nuts and nut products including peanut and soybean;
c) Fish and fish products;
d) Milk and milk products (including lactose); and
e) Egg and egg products.

Where the food contains ingredients that can cause hypersensitivity, the
ingredients shall be written as follows:

Example

Ingredients:
Malt extract (barley), sugar, skimmed milk powder, cocoa, maltodextrin,
palm oil and vitamin C

For further information, refer to the Guidelines on Labelling of Food

Ingredients Known to Cause Hypersensitivity.

7 Statement on additives

Where food additives have been added to any food, the following
statement shall be included:
“Contains permitted (state the type of the relevant food additive)”.

Example:

If the formulation of a product has the following additives:

Benzoic acid
Tartrazine
 Food Labelling Guidelines 7

Pulegone
Butylated hydroxy toulene (BHT)

then the following statement shall be included:

“Contains permitted preservative, colouring substances and
flavoring substances.

Where permitted food conditioners have been added to the food, the
following statement shall be included:
“Contains (state the class of food conditioner) as permitted food
conditioner.”

Example:

If the formulation of a product has the following food conditioners:

Citric acid
Acacia gum

then the following statement shall be included:

“Contains acidity regulator and stabiliser as permitted food
conditioners."

Where permitted flavour enhancers have been added to the food, the
following statement shall be included:
“Contains (state the chemical name of the flavour enhancer) as permitted
flavour enhancer.”

Example:

If the formulation of a product has the following flavour enhancer:

Monosodium L-glutamate

then the following statement shall be included:

“Contains Monosodium L-glutamate as permitted flavour enhancer.”
 Food Labelling Guidelines 8

8 Minimum net weight/volume/number of package content

(i) All food labels shall include a statement on the minimum net weight
or volume or number of the content of the package.

(ii) The height of the lettering in the statement shall be uniform.

Correct: Incorrect:

Net weight: 450 g Weight

Minimum volume: 250 ml Minimum volume : 500 ml

9 Name and address of manufacturer/importer/country of origin

All food labels shall contain the name and address of the
manufacturer/importer/country of origin:

9.1 For food products produced, prepared or packed in Malaysia, the

food label shall indicate one of the following:

(i) Name and address of the manufacturer or packer; or

(ii) Name and address of the owner of the rights of manufacture or
packing; or;
(iii) Name and address of the agent in (i) and (ii).

9.2 For imported foods, the food label shall indicate:

(i) Name and address of the manufacturer overseas; or

(ii) Name and address of the owner of the rights of manufacture or
packing; or
(iii) Name and address of the agent in (i) and (ii); and
(iv) Name and business address of the importer in Malaysia; and
(v) Country of origin of the food.
 Food Labelling Guidelines 9

Example of local product: Example of imported product:

Manufactured by: Manufactured by:

ABC Sdn Bhd XYZ International
No. 81, Jalan Puteri 5/3 10 Mahunga Drive, Mangere
Bandar Puteri, 47100 Puchong Bridge 1
Selangor Auckland 2021, New Zealand

Imported by:
XYZ Sdn Bhd
Lot 16, Jalan 19/11
46300 Petaling Jaya
Selangor

Product of New Zealand

10 Date marking

10.1 The list of foods for which date marking is mandatory is as shown
in below:

1. Biscuits, bread.
2. Canned foods for infants and young children.
3. Cereal-based foods for infants and young children.
4. Chocolate, white chocolate and milk chocolate.
5. Coconut cream, coconut milk, coconut paste, coconut cream
powder and grated coconut.
6. Edible fat and edible oil other than margarine in an airtight
container.
7. Food additives that have an indefinite less than18 months.
8. Infant formula.
9. Liquid egg, liquid egg yolk, liquid egg white, dried eggs, egg yolks
and dried egg white
10. The low-energy food for any food that requires marking the date.
11. The meat in not airtight containers.
12. Milk and milk products excluding ice cream for less than 200 ml
volume and hard cheeses.
13. Pasteurized non-carbonated soft drinks and U.H.T non-carbonated
soft drinks
14. Nutrients are added or enhanced nutrient preparations are sold as
food.
15. Pasteurized fruit juice.
16. Pasteurized vegetable juice.
17. Peanut butter.
18. Sauce
19. Special purpose food.
20. Serikaya.
 Food Labelling Guidelines 10

10.2 The date marking on food labels shall be shown in one of the
following formats:

Example:

(i) “EXPIRY DATE or EXP DATE (insert the date, expressed in day,
month and year or in month and year)”;

or

(ii) “USE BY (insert the date, expressed in day, month and year or in
month and year)";

or

(iii) “CONSUME BY or CONS BY (insert the date, expressed in day,

month and year or in month and year)”;

or

(iv) “BEST BEFORE or BEST BEF (insert the date, expressed in day,
month and year or in month and year)”.

10.3. The date marking shall be in capital bold-faced lettering of non-serif

character not smaller than 6 point.

10.4. Foods that are not listed in Para 10.1, may also bear a date
marking. However, the format shall be as prescribed by the food
labelling regulations.

11 Pictorial illustration

Only the images of the ingredient may be shown on the label.

12 Statement on serving suggestion

The words “SERVING SUGGESTION” or “RECIPE” in capital letters not

less than 6 point shall be set close to the image.
 Food Labelling Guidelines 11

Example

SERVING SUGGESTION
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13 Declaration of nutrition information

13.1 Foods that require mandatory labelling are as follows:

13.2. Information on nutritional value shall be expressed in the form of

per serving and per 100 g (ml).

13.3. The mandatory nutrients to be declared shall be energy, protein,

carbohydrate and fat.
 Food Labelling Guidelines 13

Example:

NUTRITION INFORMATION
Serving size: 250 ml
Servings per package: 4
Per 100 ml Per serving (250 ml)
Energy 35 kcal (147 kJ) 88 kcal (370 kJ)
Carbohydrate 5.4 g 13.5 g
Protein 1.2 g 3.0 g
Fat 0.9 g 2.3 g

14 Declaration of sugar content

For ready-to-drink beverages, the sugar amount shall be declared in the

following form:
“Carbohydrate …g
Total sugars…g”

Example:

Product name: Grape-Flavoured Drink

NUTRITION INFORMATION
Serving size: 250 ml
Servings per package: 4
Per 100 ml Per serving (250 ml)
Energy 35 kcal (147 kJ) 88 kcal (370 kJ)
Carbohydrate 5.4 g 13.5 g
Total sugars 4.5 g 11.4 g
Protein 1.2 g 3.0 g
Fat 0.9 g 2.3 g

15 Declaration of amount and type of fatty acids

If fatty acids are indicated on the label, then the four types of fatty acids,
namely saturated fatty acid, monounsaturated fatty acid, polyunsaturated
fatty acid and trans fatty acid shall be written in the following format:
“Fat …g
consisting of
Monounsaturated fatty acids …g
Polyunsaturated fatty acids …g
Saturated fatty acids …g
Trans fatty acids …g”
 Food Labelling Guidelines 14

Example:

NUTRITION INFORMATION
Serving size : 200 ml
Servings per package : 5
Per 100 ml Per serving
(200 ml)
Energy 44 kcal 88 kcal
Protein 0.5 g 1.0 g
Carbohydrate 10.5 g 21.0 g
Fat 5.8 g 11.6 g
consisting of
Monounsaturated fatty acids 2.1 g 4.2 g
Polyunsaturated fatty acids 1.0 g 2.0 g
Saturated fatty acids 2.4 g 4.8 g
Trans fatty acids 0.3 g 0.6 g

NUTRITION INFORMATION
Serving size : 200 ml
Servings per package : 5
Per 100 ml Per serving
(200 ml)
Energy 44 kcal 88 kcal
Protein 0.5 g 1.0 g
Carbohydrate 10.5 g 21.0 g
Fat 5.8 g 11.6 g
consisting of
Saturated fatty acids 2.4 g 4.8 g
Trans fatty acids 0.3 g 0.6 g

16 Declaration of nutrient value

Only vitamins and minerals listed in the nutrient reference values (NRV)
and present in amounts of at least 5% per serving shall be declared in the
nutrition information.

If the amount is less than 5% per serving, then it shall not be declared in
the nutrition information.
 Food Labelling Guidelines 15

Example:

The 5% NRV for each vitamin and mineral is as follows:

Unit NRV 5% NRV

Vitamin A µg 800 40
Vitamin D µg 5 0.25
Vitamin E mg 10 0.5
Vitamin C mg 60 3
Thiamine mg 1.4 0.07
Riboflavin mg 1.6 0.08
Niacin mg 18 0.9
Vitamin B6 mg 2 0.1
Folic acid µg 200 10
Vitamin B12 µg 1 0.05
Calcium mg 800 40
Magnesium mg 300 15
Iron mg 14 0.7
Zinc mg 15 0.75
Iodine µg 150 7.5
Protein g 50 2.5

17 Use of logo

The use of logo shall be supported by a valid certificate issued by a

competent authority.

If the certificate has not been issued or has expired, the use of the logo
shall not be permitted and must be removed.

18 Prohibited statement/claim
Regulation 18(1A)

Words to indicate grading, quality or superiority or any other words of

similar meaning shall not appear on the label of any package of food
unless such description of grading, quality or superiority conform to
those established by the relevant authorities responsible for such
grading.
 Food Labelling Guidelines 16

Example :

1. Selected Ingredients
2. Quality
3. Satisfaction guaranteed
4. Quality guaranteed
5. Made from quality
6. Getting approval from the Ministry of Health
7. Using a reference letter of clasification (..) MOH / 163 / S /25 No JLD

Regulation 18(2)

The word "pure" or any other words of similar meaning unless the food
given strength, purity or quality prescribed by regulation.

Regulation 18(3)

The word "compounded",”medicated”, "tonic" or "health" or any other

words of similar meaning

Example :

Food supplement
Health food

Regulation 18(4)

Claims on the absence of:

(a) beef or pork or its derivatives, or lard or added alcohol if the food
does not contain such ingredients; or

(b) any additives or added nutrient the addition of which is prohibited in

these Regulations.

Example :

1. No pork / no lard
2. No alcohol
3. Does not contain boric acid
4. Does not contain cyclamate
 Food Labelling Guidelines 17

Regulation 18(6)

The following claims are prohibited:

a. Claims stating that any particular food will provide an adequate

source of all essential nutrients.
b. Claims implying that a balanced diet or a combination of a variety of
foods cannot supply adequate amounts of all nutrients.
c. Claims that cannot be substantiated.
d. Claims suggesting that a food can prevent, alleviate, treat or cure a
disease, disorder or other physiological function.
e. Claims that cause the consumer to doubt the safety of similar food.
f. Claims that arouse or exploit fear in the consumer.

Example :

1. Eat ABC products to meet your daily nutrient requirements.

2. These foods are good for diabetes
3. Increase immunity
4. For the development of the mind
5. Clinically tested / proven
6. Extensive research
7. Scientifically proven
8. The product does not contain genetically modified ingredients

Regulation 18 (7)

The word "organic", "biological", "ecological", "biodynamic" or words of

similar meaning unless the food conforms to the requirements specified in
the Malaysian Standard MS 1529: The Production, Processing, Labelling
and Marketing of Organically Produced Foods.

Regulation 18 (8)

The word "nutritious" or words of similar meaning unless the food meets
the requirements below:

(a) the food contains a range of nutrients including carbohydrate,

fat, protein, vitamin and mineral;
(b) the food contains a substantial amount of energy of more than
40kcal per 100g or 20kcal per 100ml;
(c) the food contains source of protein not less than 5g per 100g or
2.5g per 100ml;
(d) the food contains at least four vitamins of an amount that meets
the criteria for claim as source and two minerals (excluding
sodium) of an amount that meets the criteria for claim as
source; and
 Food Labelling Guidelines 18

(e) the amount of the nutrients mentioned in paragraphs (a) and (d)
is declared.

19 Statement on Probiotic culture

1. There shall be written in the label on a package of food to which
probiotic cultures have been added, the following item:

a)the words “CONTAINS (state quantity) OF PROBIOTIC CULTURES”;

(Note: The probiotic cultures added shall remain viable and the
viable probiotic count shall not be less than 106 cfu/ml or cfu/g
during the shelf life of such food.)

(b) the specification of genus, species and strain of the probiotic

cultures

(Note : Only the probiotic cultures specified in the Twelfth A

Schedule, Food regulation 1985 can be added to food)

(c) the direction for storage before and after package is opened.”

2. Where the media used for propagation and maintenance of the

probiotic cultures are derived from animal, the common name of such
animal shall be stated on the label of that food by using the words
“MEDIA USED FOR PROPAGATION OF PROBIOTIC CULTURES
DERIVED FROM (the common name of such animal)”.

3. There may be written in the label on a package of food to which

probiotic cultures have been added, the words “Probiotic cultures help in
improving intestinal or gut function” or any other words of similar
meaning.

Example :

Maltodextrin, apple, sugar, [Link] Bb-02 (CONTAINS (1 x 106 cfu/g) OF

PROBIOTIC CULTURES

Direction for storage:

Keep under temperature 4°C before and after package is opened.

MEDIA USED FOR PROPAGATION OF PROBIOTIC CULTURES DERIVED FROM

COW.
 Food Labelling Guidelines 19

20 Compliance and Penalties

As part of the Food Regulations 1985, violation of these regulations will

incur a fine or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 years or both.

Food products shall also comply with other regulations under the Food
Act 1983 and Food Regulations 1985 or risk incurring similar penalties.