4. Labeling Requirements

Beers & Whisky
Malaysia

This section provides information on labeling requirements and the label approval process.

4.1 Mandatory Labeling Parameters

General Food

Food products in Malaysia should comply with the standards and labeling requirements in the Food Regulations of 1985 (Update December 2023) [1]. Part IV Regulations 9 to 14 describe the requirements for General Food, while specific labeling requirements are also laid in product regulations.

Unless otherwise provided in these Regulations, prepacked food for sale shall bear a label containing the following particulars:

1. Appropriate Designation / Description of the Food / Product Name
2. Quantitative Ingredients Declaration (QUID) 
3. Additional Statement Below the Appropriate Designation of the Food
4. List of Ingredient 
5. Nutritional labeling
6. Labeling of Foods Known to Cause Hypersensitivity
7. Statement on Additives 
8. Minimum Net Weight / Volume / Number of Package Content
9. Manufacturer / Importer / Country of Origin
10. Date Marking
11. Pictorial Ilustration
12. Statement on Probiotic Culture
13. Comply with the Prohibited statement/claim requirement

The form and manner of labeling as well as the size and color of letters are described in Regulations 12 and 13.

Please refer to the Guideline on Labeling Requirement under Food Act 1983 [2] and Regulations thereunder [1] for details of each requirement.

Category

Alcoholic drinks

The requirements for alcoholic drinks labeling are the same as specified under "General Food" above:

• Durability date marking is not mandatory, but it is recommended to be provided.
• Nutritional labeling is not mandatory unless a nutrient claim is made (refer to Section 5.2 of this guidebook). 
• There shall be written in the principal display panel on the label of the package containing alcoholic beverage, in capital bold-faced lettering of a non-serif character not less than 12 point size lettering, the words "ARAK MENGANDUNGI - % ALKOHOL” (Meaning in English: LIQUOR CONTAINS- % ALCOHOL).
• There shall also be written on the label of a package of a non-serif character not less than 12 point size lettering, the words "MEMINUM ARAK BOLEH MEMBAHAYAKAN KESIHATAN" (Meaning in English: DRINKING ALCOHOL CAN DANGER YOUR HEALTH).

Product

1) Beer

Same as "Category" (alcoholic drinks) above.

2) Whisky

Same as "Category" (alcoholic drinks) above.

4.2 Languages

General Food

In the case of food produced, prepared, or packaged in Malaysia, the label shall be in Bahasa Malaysia and may include any translation thereof in any other language.

In the case of imported food, the label shall be in either Bahasa Malaysia or English, and in either case, may include any translation thereof in any other language. 

Category

Alcoholic drinks

Same as "General Foods".

Product

1) Beer

Same as "Category" (alcoholic drinks) above. 

2) Whisky

Same as "Category" (alcoholic drinks) above.

4.3 Mandatory Information on Stickers

General Food

The authorities verbally confirmed that they accept additional stickers for mandatory labeling information, but only with prior approval. This approval process typically applies to products detained at entry points due to non-compliance with labeling requirements. For other reasons requiring an additional sticker, an official letter to the Ministry of Health (MOH) is necessary. However, there are currently no published guidelines for this, as it is considered an internal procedure.  

Category

Alcoholic drinks 

Same as "General Foods".

Product

1) Beer

Same as "Category" (alcoholic drinks) above.

2) Whisky

Same as "Category" (alcoholic drinks) above.

4.4 Product Legal Name

General Food

• The appropriate designation of the food shall contain the common name of its principal ingredients.
• The product name must illustrate the true nature of the product.
• The product name of the food shall be prominent in height, visual emphasis, and position so as to be conspicuous by comparison with any other matter appearing on the label.

Product

1) Beer

• Please refer to the section on "General Food" above. 
• Additionally, the word "beer” shall not appear on the label of any package containing food unless the food complies with the standard for beer prescribed in this regulation.

2) Whisky

• Please refer to the section on "General Food" above. 
• Additionally, the word or words "whisky" shall not be conjoined with any other word except those words which denote the source of the product, place of manufacture, or brand. 

4.5 Product-specific Labeling Statements

Category

Alcoholic drinks

Please refer to Section 4.1 (Alcoholic drinks) above. 

Product

1) Beer

Same as "Category" (alcoholic drinks) above. 

2) Whisky

Same as "Category" (alcoholic drinks) above.

4.6 Authority Approval

General Food

In Malaysia, obtaining approval from the authority for food product labeling is not compulsory but is a voluntary submission to the authority. However, to ensure that the product label meets the regulations, it is highly recommended to obtain approval from the authority. 

Category

Alcoholic drinks

Same as "General Foods".

Product

1) Beer

Same as "Category" (alcoholic drinks) above. 

2) Whisky

Same as "Category" (alcoholic drinks) above.

4.7 Additional Notes on Labeling

General Food

There are two procedures that the industry may follow in carrying out labeling screening with the authority as follows: 

1. Application for labeling screening to FSQD
   1. Process
      1. The industry can apply the services online using the FOSIM (FOSIM - Food Safety Information System of Malaysia) System at https://fosim.moh.gov.my/fssm/public/home 
      2. Labeling screening procedure
      3. Submission of application in the FOSIM system
      4. The label will be screened
      5. Feedback notifying either compliance or non-compliance with the Food Regulations 1985 will be issued to the applicant without any notification of specific non-compliance on the label
      6. Corrective action may be taken by the industry and the amended label will be re-sent for screening by the Food Safety and Quality Program up to two times without any additional charges
      7. A letter of compliance will be issued for the label that meets all the requirements under the Food Regulations 1985
   2. Required documents.
      1. Complete product formulation 
      2. Product label
      3. Letter of Product Classification from NPRA (for Food Drug Interface products only)
      4. A copy of those certificates/awards if contains logo on the label (if relevant) (e.g. halal, GMP, Organic)
   3. Estimated cost 
      1. A fee of RM250 is charged for each label.
   4. Duration of the process
      1. 3 – 5 months
2. Application for label advisory services to FSQD
   1. Process
      1. The industry can apply the services online using the FOSIM (FOSIM - Food Safety Information System of Malaysia) at https://fosim.moh.gov.my/fssm/public/home 
      2. Labeling screening procedure
      3. Submission of application in the FOSIM system
      4. The label will be screened and will detail all the commentary for the non-compliance on the label
      5. Full commentary for non-compliance on the label will be detailed in the FOSIM system
      6. Corrective action may be taken by the industry and the amended label will be re-sent for screening by the Food Safety and Quality Program up to two times without any additional charges. 
      7. A letter of compliance will be issued for the label that meets all the requirements under the Food Regulations 1985
   2. Required documents
      1. Complete Product formulation 
      2. Product label
      3. Letter of Product Classification from NPRA (for Food Drug Interface products only)
      4. A copy of those certificates/awards if contains logo on the label (if relevant)
   3. Estimated cost and
      1. A fee of RM1,000 is charged for each label
   4. Duration of the process 
      1. 3 – 5 months

4.8 References

1. Food Regulations 1985 Update December 2023 (PUA 209_2020) thereunder

https://hq.moh.gov.my/fsq/peraturanperaturan-makanan-1985

2. Guideline on Labeling Requirement under Food Act 1983

PDF attached below