Category: Food EN

The Ministry of Health is making a mockery of the Food Regulations as the use of Rhodamine B in food is still rampant in spite of it being banned. CAP first detected the presence of Rhodamine B in belacan in 1973 and since then tests conducted in 1983, 1993, 1995, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2007 and 2008 have still found this dye to be present in belacan and other foods.   On each occasion...

Who decides on what can be added to our food or what food is considered safe for consumption? Whether in Malaysia, China or Australia, Governments have to follow the Codex Alimentarius, rules set up by the WHO and FAO which are policed by the WTO (World Trade Organisation). This is supposed to facilitate free trade. But the Codex Alimentarius which is supposed to protect consumers with safe food...

The Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP) welcomes the Penang State Government’s decision to enforce a ban on polystyrene starting 1st January, 2011.  The ban is expected to cover all food premises and temporary hawking sites owned by local councils in the State. The ruling is indeed laudable because the biggest environmental health concern associated with polystyrene is the...

The Consumer’s Association of Penang (CAP) urges the Majlis Perbandaran Pulau Pinang (MPPP) to immediately clean up and beautify all wet markets in Penang which are in deplorable conditions of filth and poor hygiene. In a survey of wet markets carried out by CAP in Chowrasta, Central, Bayan Baru, Ayer Itam, Pulau Tikus, Jelutong, Riffle Range, Taman Tun Sardon, Padang Tembak and the old...

The Consumers Association of Penang is appalled by the Pesticide Board not taking action to eradicate the pesticide endosulfan. Endosulfan, a highly acute toxin and a suspected endocrine disruptor, was banned in 2005 under the Pesticides Act 1974. In a letter to CAP dated 17th October 2008, the Pesticide Board informed us that the registration for endosulfan was terminated in 15th August 2005....

The Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) is shocked that banned boric acid is still found in food, in spite of our numerous calls to the Ministry of Health for the last 25 years to take action on the issue. CAP’s latest test on various types of food such as Bak chang (Chinese dumpling), yellow noodles and Nyonya kuih found boric acid to be present in all the samples tested. Bak chang...

Monosodium Glutamate (MSG), a popular flavouring substance commonly used in home-cooked and restaurant foods — as well as in most processed, packaged and frozen foods — is a long-trusted food seasoning in Malaysia. The food industry tells us it’s “natural” and “safe”. But eater, beware: A growing mountain of evidence indicates that MSG may be more toxic...