ALOR STAR: Retort sterilisation, a technique initially employed by military groups to preserve food for up to two years, has made its way into the market.
Nor Hathmina Ibrahim, 55, an entrepreneur offering the service, explained that the technique involves heating food to 121 degrees Celsius in a special machine to eliminate bacteria.
The packaged food can then be prepared by simply heating it up in a microwave or in boiling water.
Hathima and her husband Abdul Rahim Ibrahim, 58, entered the business in 2020 after learning the technique at an entrepreneurship convention.
"When we saw the functionality of the retort processing machine, my husband and I envisioned the immense potential of this food technology.
"We now provide our own retort-packaged meals while offering services such as packaging meals for clients," she said during the state-level Entrepreneurship Carnival at Jalan Suka Menanti here today.
Earlier, state Tourism, Culture and Entrepreneurship committee chairman Datuk Mohd Salleh Saidin opened the three-day carnival which featured 70 exhibition booths, 60 food and beverage stalls, and 10 food truck sites for local entrepreneurs.
Also present were State Human Resources, Chinese, Indian and Siamese Communities committee chairman Wong Chia Zhen and Youth and Sports, Consumerism and Cost of Living committee chairman Muhammad Radhi Mat Din.
Meanwhile, Hathimah said that their food sterilisation service received positive response from non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and authorities for disaster relief programmes.
She said that the technique also ensures food remains viable at room temperature without the use of preservatives, making it a preferable food packaging method.
"At present, we offer dishes like nasi lemak, rendang ayam, laksa and a variety of sambal pastes. Alhamdulillah, based on the orders received, I can make up to RM30,000 in a good month.
"We also get orders from camping enthusiasts and families traveling abroad to countries where halal meals are hard to get," she added.
Meanwhile, Salleh urged entrepreneurs to ensure their companies have necessary certifications, especially halal certification.
"We must also understand that the halal industry today is not only for Muslim consumers but also for non-Muslims who seek products with guarantees regarding the materials used and processes that are halal and clean," he added.