- In July 2025, Malaysia’s Ministry of Health (MOH) proposed comprehensive amendments to the Food Act 1983 (Act 281), inviting public consultation to enhance food safety and quality control across the supply chain. This initiative aligns with the National Policy on Good Regulatory Practice (NPGRP) 2021, which mandates periodic legislative reviews every five years. Key updates include stricter limits on trans fatty acids, removal of certain substances such as Colistin, and the introduction of new standards for probiotics, sweeteners, cocoa products, and irradiated packaging materials. These reforms aim to modernize Malaysia’s food regulations and ensure consumer protection
- In March 2025, Bio-Rad Laboratories Inc. launched the XP-Design Assay Salmonella Serotyping Solution, a cutting-edge molecular diagnostic tool for rapid and accurate identification of Salmonella serotypes in food and environmental samples. Utilizing real-time PCR technology with fluorescent probes, the assay enables precise detection of target DNA sequences, significantly improving outbreak response and environmental monitoring. The ready-to-use format ensures high specificity and minimal cross-reactivity. While not Malaysia-specific, this innovation is expected to influence global food safety protocols, including potential adoption by Malaysia’s Food Safety and Quality Program to strengthen pathogen surveillance
- In February 2025, Malaysia’s Ministry of Health (MOH) notified the World Trade Organization (WTO) of a key amendment to the Food Regulations 1985, introducing stricter protocols for imported food safety. Under the revised rules, all imported food must originate from facilities that comply with a recognized food safety assurance program, such as Food Safety Systems Management (FSSM), Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP), or Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). These measures align with the Food Hygiene Regulations 2009 and empower MOH’s Food Safety and Quality Program to conduct audits and inspections, ensuring global compliance and consumer protection
- In October 2024, Bureau Veritas announced the sale of its global food testing business to Mérieux NutriSciences for an enterprise, as part of its LEAP 28 strategy to streamline operations and focus on core markets. The transaction includes 34 laboratories and 1,900 employees across 15 countries, covering microbiological, chemical, and molecular testing services. This strategic consolidation strengthens Mérieux NutriSciences’ global footprint especially in Asia Pacific, Africa, and the Americas—and may influence food safety service offerings in Malaysia, where enhanced testing capabilities are increasingly vital for regulatory compliance and public health
- In November 2023, QIAGEN launched a suite of new QIAcuity digital PCR kits and released Software 2.5, expanding the platform’s applications to include food safety, RNA/DNA quantification, and mycoplasma detection. The kits—such as the QIAcuity Mycoplasma Quant Kit, OneStep Advanced EG Kit, and mericon Food Testing Kits—offer enhanced sensitivity, precision, and regulatory compliance with frameworks from the US, EU, and Japanese Pharmacopeia. These innovations streamline workflows and reduce validation efforts, making them ideal for Malaysia’s evolving food safety landscape, where rapid, reliable testing is increasingly critical for public health and import screening
