PUTRAJAYA: The Health Ministry is currently implementing a number of initiatives as part of the campaign to reduce sugar in an effort to raise awareness about the significance of healthier lifestyles.
Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa said one of the initiatives, dubbed the Reduce Sugar Campaign 2023, was among the government's efforts to educate the public on reducing sugar intake.
"The campaign included measures to collaborate with vendors in Putrajaya food courts to restrict sugar in beverages to one teaspoon per order.
"I would like to commend the vendors for participating in this initiative such as the food courts in Presint 16, Presint 8, Presint 9, Presint 11, Laman Perdana Presint 1, Laman Duta Presint 15, and Food Truck Putrajaya."
"I was also informed that there are some operators who have long started their efforts to reduce sugar in drinks."
She said this in a speech text read by the ministry's deputy secretary-general Datuk Zainal Alhakab Seman before launching the campaign taglined "Sugar: 1 Teaspoon is Enough, Less is Better, None is the Best!"
Dr Zaliha also called for a national movement to combat excessive sugar intake underlining the government's commitment to fostering a healthier society.
She encouraged similar efforts nationwide, urging local authorities and various agencies, both governmental and non-governmental, to collaborate in intensifying these initiatives for a more significant impact.
"Malaysians must be aware of the food and drinks they consume, especially those that are ready-cooked or ready-packaged.
"Most of the sweet drinks sold contain high levels of sugar such as carbonated drinks, cordial or syrup as well sweet brewed drinks like tea and coffee.
"For example, a carbonated sweet drink contains 10 teaspoons of sugar in every 500ml drink, while the favourite teh tarik is also estimated to contain up to 10 teaspoons of sweet cream equal to five teaspoons of sugar," she said.
She added that the support and commitment from every party to succeed in this initiative is essential to raise people's awareness of practising a healthy diet.