03/02/2026

TUESDAY | FEB 3, 2026

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Soaring food prices affecting diet quality

guidelines have better nutrient profiles, lower ultra-processed food intake and increased access to plant-based meals for children through school programmes.” In the United Kingdom, she added that public institutions such as schools, hospitals and universities have introduced plant-based or vegan meals as default options. “Trials showed higher uptake of plant based meals without reducing satisfaction, while cost analyses indicated lower ingredient costs compared with meat-based meals.” Rozanna said mormalising plant-based meals as the default rather than an “alternative” reduces both stigma and cost barriers. She stressed that plant-based or mostly vegetarian diets succeed when they rely on affordable whole staples, are culturally normalised and supported by public policy and local supply chains. “The main barrier is not feasibility, but perception and the food environment. “Policies that normalise plant-based meals in schools, hospitals and workplaces, while supporting local supply chains, could make vegan eating both affordable and accessible.” – By Kirtinee Ramesh High costs hinder healthy eating: CAP PETALING JAYA: Organic, vegan and other healthy foods remain largely unaffordable for Malaysians, despite growing interest in nutritious diets, said Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) senior education officer and natural farming trainer N.V. Subbarow. “Consumers can buy organic vegetables directly from farmers at reasonable prices – often cheaper than conventionally farmed produce. “The problem lies with middlemen, who inflate prices before they reach the market.” He added that the global popularity of vegan products has also driven costs higher. “Many middle and high-income consumers turn to vegan foods, believing they are the healthiest choice. While positive for awareness, it pushes prices up. “The everyday cost of food is a heavy burden. A meal for four at a restaurant can cost around RM100, while breakfast for a family of four may reach RM40. “For many, these prices are unaffordable, pushing them toward cheap, low-nutrition options like instant noodles.” Subbarow said imported ingredients such as millets further increase costs. “Millets are rich in vitamins and calcium but expensive due to import taxes. “The government should reduce sales tax to make them more accessible.” He said fruits and vegetables are also rising sharply. “A banana that once cost 50 sen is now RM2. Papaya slices are similarly expensive. When healthy foods are out of reach, many Malaysians avoid them entirely, even if indulgent foods like durian drop in price. “This is worrying for people managing conditions like diabetes.” Subbarow called for a nationwide healthy food campaign led by the Health Ministry. “Schools should promote healthy meals and millets in canteens. Institutions, hotels and caterers should be incentivised to offer more nutritious options while reducing processed and non-vegetarian foods. “Posters and educational materials on healthy diets should also be widely available.” He urged subsidies for farmers producing organic, vegan and nutrient-rich foods. “Supporting local producers will help more Malaysians access healthy fruits, vegetables and millets, creating a healthier society overall.” With the cost of living rising, Subbarow warned that urgent measures are needed to make nutritious diets affordable for all. – By Kirtinee Ramesh

o Subsidies and incentives could promote wholesome choices; policy support needed for low-income households, says dietitian

Ű BY KIRTINEE RAMESH newsdesk@thesundaily.com

PETALING JAYA: Rising food prices are increasingly shaping what Malaysians eat, forcing many households to compromise on nutrition and raising concerns over worsening diet-related health problems, experts warn. Affordability, rather than preference or knowledge, is now a key driver of food choices, pushing families towards cheaper, less nutritious options, said Malaysian Dietitians’ Association council member Rozanna M. Rosly. She also said non-communicable diseases such as obesity, diabetes and hypertension are already highly prevalent, according to the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2023. “Globally, evidence shows that many people cannot afford a healthy diet, particularly during periods of rising food prices. “When financial pressure is combined with food environments dominated by cheap sugary drinks and ultra-processed foods, households are pushed towards dietary patterns that increase long-term health risks.” She stressed that the issue is not one of poor personal choices, but structural problems within the food system, where unhealthy options are cheaper, more convenient and heavily promoted, while healthier alternatives remain less accessible. She said healthy and vegan foods, for example, are often perceived as expensive because they are marketed as premium products. “Plant-based meat substitutes, dairy alternatives, organic produce and cafe-style vegan meals are frequently imported, branded or Malaysian Dietitians’ Association council member Rozanna M. Rosly said there are strategies that could lower the cost of nutritious diets and make them more accessible, particularly for low-income households. “Evidence shows that policies which directly reduce the price of healthy foods are highly effective.” Price reductions, subsidies and financial incentives for fruits and vegetables consistently boost both purchasing and consumption, especially among lower-income groups, she added. Rozanna said fiscal measures such as taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages can also help. “Malaysia’s evaluation of its sugar sweetened beverage tax shows that such policies can reduce consumption of unhealthy drinks while generating revenue for public health programmes. “When combined with broader nutrition strategies, fiscal policies can support healthier choices.” Other key measures include clear front-of

Rozanna said the rise in food prices is forcing many Malaysian households to compromise on nutrition and this wosens diet-related health problems. – ADIB RAWI YAHYA/THESUN

0 Use plant proteins frequently, with small amounts of animal protein when affordable. 0 Affordable snack ideas include seasonal fruit such as bananas, papaya, or watermelon; boiled corn or sweet potato and a small handful of peanuts or groundnuts. 0 Foods to avoid include sugary drinks, packaged cakes and ultra-processed snacks, which may be cheap short-term but harm long-term health. Rozanna said staples such as dhal, lentils, tofu, tempeh and eggs generally cost less per serving than meat or processed foods while leafy greens and local vegetables from wet markets are cheaper than imported produce. International examples highlight how plant based diets can be both affordable and culturally normalised, she said, adding that Brazil’s national dietary guidelines, for instance, encourage meals based on unprocessed or minimally processed plant foods rather than specialty vegan products. “Studies show that diets aligned with these In Malaysia, research among B40 adults shows that affordability is only part of the challenge. “Time constraints, long working hours, limited cooking facilities and an environment dominated by cheap fast food and packaged snacks all make healthy eating more difficult – even when people know what constitutes a nutritious diet.” She added that ultra-processed foods, which are cheap, widely available and heavily marketed, are typically high in sugar, salt and unhealthy fats, contributing to obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and other long-term health problems. Addressing these challenges, Rozanna said, requires action on both policy and public awareness. “Subsidies, price reductions and other incentives to make healthy foods more affordable have been shown to increase purchases of fruits and vegetables, particularly among lower-income households. Coupled with education on budget-friendly healthy eating, such measures could help reduce the rising burden of diet-related problems in Malaysia.”

pack nutrition labelling. She said studies from Southeast Asia and Europe indicate that mandatory labels help consumers identify healthier options and can improve population-level diet quality over time. “Improving nutrition standards in schools, hospitals and public institutions, as well as strengthening local food supply chains to reduce food loss and costs, are additional proven strategies. “Research shows that combining these approaches is far more effective than relying on any single policy.” Rozanna emphasised that healthy meals do not require expensive vegan products or imported niche items. “Simple meals based on rice or noodles, vegetables, beans, tofu, eggs, seeds and seasonal fruit can be nutritious, filling, and affordable.” Even small changes, such as reducing sugary drinks or adding more vegetables and fruits to daily meals, can have a long-term impact on health. She offered practical guidance for low-cost healthy eating in Malaysia: 0 Focus on grains, legumes, tofu/tempeh, eggs, vegetables and seasonal fruit, which heavily processed, all of which drive up prices. Social media trends and supermarket displays further reinforce the perception that these foods are luxury items. “In contrast, cheaper options are often ultra processed, designed to be filling, convenient and long-lasting.” She said refined carbohydrates, sugary drinks, instant noodles and fried snacks provide high calories at a low cost, making them appear more affordable. “Global studies indicate that nutritious foods such as fruits, vegetables and fresh lean protein often cost more per calorie or serving than refined grains and sugary products, reinforcing the idea that healthy diets are expensive.” Rozanna said healthy eating does not necessarily have to be costly. “Diet costs tend to rise when people rely on imported or specialty products instead of everyday local staples.” She noted that large international studies show diets centred on plant-based staples are often among the most affordable dietary patterns, particularly when compared with diets high in animal-source or highly processed foods.

Affordable nutritious meals within reach, says expert PETALING JAYA: Eating healthy in Malaysia does not have to be expensive or complicated but an expert says affordability requires both policy action and smart personal choices. are among the most affordable nutritious foods. 0 Limit ultra-processed foods, which are linked to obesity and other non-communicable diseases.