Reference source : World Trade Organization
Malaysia has notified the WTO of proposed amendments to the Food Regulations 1985 [P.U.(A) 437/1985], covering specific requirements for sweetening substances and related products. The measure is led by the Food Safety and Quality Programme, Ministry of Health Malaysia.
The notified products include:
The notification identifies HS 1701, 1702, 1703 and 2106 as the relevant product headings.
The proposed amendments would revise several sweetening-substance provisions under the Food Regulations 1985, including regulations 118, 119, 120, 122, 124, 125, 128, 129, 131, 132, 134A, 134B and 134C.
Malaysia also proposes to insert three new regulations:
| New regulation | Product scope |
|---|---|
| Regulation 125B | Dried glucose syrup |
| Regulation 128A | Lactose |
| Regulation 134D | Evaporated creamer |
These new provisions would prescribe definitions, specifications and labelling requirements for the covered products.
A key purpose of the amendments is to align food additive provisions with subregulation 19(2) of the Food Regulations 1985.
The notification states that conditions for using food additives in sweetening substances may be referred directly to the Codex General Standard for Food Additives (GSFA, CXS 192-1995). This indicates a clearer linkage between Malaysia’s domestic rules and Codex-based additive conditions for these product categories.
The proposal is relevant for manufacturers, importers and distributors of sugar products, syrups, glucose products, lactose, caramel, molasses, non-dairy creamers and evaporated creamers.
Companies should review whether product specifications, ingredient declarations, additive use, product naming and label claims remain aligned with the revised definitions and new labelling requirements once adopted.
The proposed date of adoption is still to be determined.
The amendments are proposed to enter into force six months from the date of publication. The final date for comments is 23 August 2026.
The measure is particularly relevant for food manufacturers, ingredient suppliers, importers, private-label owners and distributors placing sugar, syrup, lactose, glucose syrup, molasses, caramel and creamer products on the Malaysian market.
Businesses should review product formulations and technical specifications against the proposed categories, especially where products contain food additives, stabilizers, emulsifiers, anticaking agents, sweeteners or creamer ingredients.
If adopted, the amendments would strengthen the regulatory clarity for sweetening substances and selected creamer products in Malaysia. The proposal also signals continued alignment of domestic food additive controls with Codex standards, which may help companies structure compliance documentation but also requires closer review of additive permissions and labelling accuracy.