Malaysia to Require Food Safety Assurance Program for Imported Food

On 5 February 2025, Malaysia notified the World Trade Organization of an amendment to the Food Regulations 1985 to enforce stringent food safety protocols for imported food. This amendment is in line with existing national hygiene regulations (Malaysia Food Hygiene Regulations of 2009) to ensure the safety and quality of imported food products. 

Mandatory Food Safety Assurance Programs 
The amendment to the Food Regulations 1985 mandates that food products intended for import into Malaysia must be produced in facilities that adhere to a recognized food safety assurance program as determined by the Ministry of Health’s Food Safety and Quality Program. Such assurance systems include, but are not limited to, frameworks such as Food Safety Systems Management (FSSM), Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP), and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). 

This requirement is consistent with the provisions set of the Malaysia Food Hygiene Regulations of 2009, which mandate local manufacturers to maintain and implement validated protocols to ensure food safety within production facilities. 

The Food Safety and Quality Program has the regulatory power to conduct inspections and audits of the manufacturing facilities to ensure compliance with these standards. This could entail direct discussions with pertinent authorities in the exporting country or on-site audits of overseas production facilities. 

Importer Responsibilities  
Importers are required to provide or maintain records demonstrating that the facilities are in compliance with an approved food safety assurance program. Failure to comply may lead to regulatory actions or the rejection of imported food products.