Food Labelling Requirements in Malaysia (2026 Checklist)

Every pack that leaves my factory goes through a label check before the artwork is printed. This is the same checklist in plain words: what the Malaysian rules ask a food label to show, where each rule comes from, and how to get an official view from KKM if you want one. Each step links to our free food label checker, which runs the same checks on your own label text, photo or PDF.

Which laws set the rules

The main rules are in the Food Act 1983 and Part IV of the Food Regulations 1985. The Ministry of Health (KKM) explains them in its Guideline on Labelling Requirement 2023. Net quantity marking falls under the Trade Descriptions (Marking of Quantity for Pre-packaged Goods) Order 2023 (P.U.(A) 296/2023, in force 4 June 2024). The checklist below gives the regulation or guideline page for each point, as read between October and November 2026.

1. Language

All mandatory label information must be in Bahasa Malaysia. You may add English or any other language next to it. (Food Regulations 1985 r.10; Guideline 2023 p.9)

2. Name of the food

The label shows a name that tells the true nature of the food, not only a brand or a flavour. "Sos Cili" is a name; a brand name alone is not. (r.11(1)(a),(aa))
The name must be prominent: in height, emphasis and position it stands out from the other words on the label, trade marks excepted. (r.12(2))

3. Ingredient list

List every ingredient in descending order of weight at the time of manufacture, including food additives and added nutrients. (r.11(1)(e))
If the label emphasises an ingredient in words or pictures, or it is essential to the food, declare its percentage (QUID), for example "cili (20%)". (r.11(1)(eb))
Edible fat or oil names its source, for example "minyak sayuran (sawit)". (r.11(1)(f))
Each additive with an INS number is declared by its functional class followed by its name or INS number, for example "pengawet (INS 211)". Flavourings may be declared by the class only. (r.11(1)(g), r.11(2A))
Ingredients and additives of animal origin state the animal source. (r.11(3))

Check your ingredient list →

4. Allergens

Declare foods known to cause hypersensitivity: cereals containing gluten (wheat, rye, barley, oats); nuts and nut products, including peanut and soybean; fish and fish products, including crustaceans and molluscs; milk and milk products, including lactose; and egg and egg products. In the ingredient list, name them so the source is clear, for example "whey (susu)". (r.11(1)(ea),(5); Guideline 2023 p.36)

5. Statements some foods must carry

Added alcohol: the "CONTAINS ALCOHOL" statement directly below the name of the food, in capital bold non-serif letters not smaller than 6 point. Certain animal-origin ingredients need a similar "CONTAINS" statement in the same place. (r.11(1)(c),(d))
Aspartame or neotame: "UNSUITABLE FOR PHENYLKETONURICS" in letters not smaller than 10 point. (Guideline 2023 p.48)
Polyols such as sorbitol, maltitol or xylitol: "EXCESSIVE USE CAN HAVE LAXATIVE EFFECT". (Guideline 2023 p.48)
Sulphur dioxide above 10 mg/kg: "Contain Sulfur Dioxide". (Guideline 2023 p.48)
Genetically modified ingredients: declared in the ingredient list, with the GM statement on the label. (r.11(6)-(7))

6. Net quantity

State the minimum net weight, volume or number in metric units (g, kg, ml, l), with the Bahasa Malaysia wording, for example "Berat bersih: 340 g". (r.11(1)(i); P.U.(A) 296/2023)
The digits must be at least: 2 mm for packs up to 50 g, 3 mm over 50 g to 200 g, 4 mm over 200 g to 1 kg, and 6 mm over 1 kg, all in letters of the same height. (P.U.(A) 296/2023, Second Schedule)
Packs made for export only are outside the quantity order; packs sold in Malaysia must follow it.

7. Name and address

Food made or packed in Malaysia shows the name and address of the manufacturer or packer, or of the brand owner or their agent. (r.11(1)(j))
Imported food shows the overseas manufacturer, the name and business address of the Malaysian importer, and the country of origin, using "country of origin", "made in", "product of" or "manufactured in". (r.11(1)(j),(4A))
A post office box alone is not accepted as the address. (r.11(4))

8. Date marking

Date marking is mandatory for a listed group of foods, including biscuits, bread, chocolate, sauces, peanut butter, milk products, juices, infant foods and more. The full list is in the Guideline (p.56). (r.14)
Use a prescribed wording followed by day-month-year or month-year. In Bahasa Malaysia: "TARIKH AKHIR", "GUNA SEBELUM", "MAKAN SEBELUM" or "BAIK SEBELUM" (or their short forms). In English: "EXPIRY DATE", "USE BY", "CONSUME BY" or "BEST BEFORE". (r.14; Guideline 2023 p.57, p.178)
Capital bold non-serif letters, not smaller than 6 point. (Guideline 2023 p.57)
Foods not on the list may carry a date, but it must use the same format. If the date depends on storage, give the storage instructions. (r.14(6))

Check your date mark wording →

9. Words and claims to avoid

Grading or superiority words such as "premium", "quality", "selected ingredients" or "authentic", unless they follow an official grading. (r.18(1A))
"Pure", unless the food meets the strength or purity the regulations set. (r.18(2))
"Health", "tonic", "medicated" or "compounded". (r.18(3))
Claims that a food prevents, treats or cures a disease, or anything that cannot be substantiated or plays on fear. (r.18(5))
Claiming the absence of something the food would not contain anyway. (r.18(4))
"Organic" or similar words unless the food meets the requirements recognised by the Food Safety and Quality Programme. (r.18(6))
"Nutritious", unless the food meets the conditions in r.18(8). "No added sugar" and "no added salt" also have conditions. (r.18A)
Any logo needs a valid certificate from the competent authority; an expired or missing certificate means the logo comes off. Vegetarian or vegan logos are not accepted; only the words "Suitable for Vegetarian" may be used. (Guideline 2023 p.59)

10. Letter size and durability

Required particulars are generally not smaller than 10 point; the ingredient list, name and address and similar statements not smaller than 4 point, with strong contrast. The label must be legible, durable and not only on a removable outer wrapper. (r.12(3)-(5),(7), r.13)

New rules to watch

Since 1 September 2025, food sold to the consumer may not contain more than 2 g of trans fatty acids per 100 g of fat, natural animal fat excepted. (r.38B, P.U.(A) 71/2025)
From 16 December 2026, "trans fat free" may be claimed only up to 0.5 g per 100 g for fats and oils, or 0.1 g per 100 g for other foods. (P.U.(A) 221/2026)

Check your label for free

The free food label checker runs the checklist above on your label. Paste the text, or upload a photo or a PDF of the artwork. It reads everything in your browser, so the label is never sent to me, and each result shows its rule, source and the date it was checked. It only says "found" or "not found, please check": a word match is a guide, not a legal opinion.

Check a label now →

Want an official view? KKM label review

KKM's Food Safety and Quality Programme offers two label services. Both are voluntary: you do not need them before you sell. Figures from the KKM food safety page, checked 14 November 2026.

Semakan Label Makanan (label review): RM250 per application, 15 days from a complete application. It tells you compliant or not compliant, but does not list the faults.
Khidmat Nasihat Pelabelan (label advisory): RM1,000 per label, 14 days from a complete application. Each fault is listed.

What to send for a review: the ingredient list with the percentage and function of each ingredient (water included), the actual or proposed label, certificates if relevant, and the NPRA (BPFK) classification letter for food-drug interface products only. The advisory also needs a certificate of analysis, one product sample and the process flow chart; imported products add the food standard of the country of origin and a free sale certificate.

How to apply:

Register and log in at FoSIM, then choose label review or label advisory.
Upload the documents and pay the fee.
Wait for the result in FoSIM. A "LABEL PATUH" result comes with a surat tiada halangan (no-objection letter) by email, which you can show during an MOH enforcement check.

Questions go to the Programme Keselamatan dan Kualiti Makanan in Putrajaya, 03-8885 0796 / 0797, or the contacts on the KKM page.

Tip: the RM250 review only says compliant or not compliant. Run the free checker first and fix the obvious errors, so you don't pay to hear "not compliant" without knowing why.

Labelling courses

Private training providers in Malaysia run food labelling courses, usually half a day to one day, online or in person, for owners and QA staff. Ask whether the course covers the latest amendments: the Food Regulations 1985 were consolidated again in August to September 2026. This is not the KKM food handler course (Latihan Pengendali Makanan), which is a separate, compulsory course that does not cover labelling. I found no KKM-run labelling course at the time of writing.

General information only, not legal advice. Rules change; check the Food Regulations 1985 and the KKM guideline, or ask KKM, before you print.

Questions

Must a food label in Malaysia be in Bahasa Malaysia?

Yes. All mandatory label information must be in Bahasa Malaysia; other languages may be added (Food Regulations 1985 r.10).

Which allergens must be declared on a Malaysian food label?

Cereals containing gluten, nuts and nut products including peanut and soybean, fish and fish products including crustaceans and molluscs, milk and milk products including lactose, and egg and egg products (Food Regulations 1985 r.11).

How much does a KKM label review cost?

The Semakan Label Makanan review is RM250 per application and says compliant or not compliant. The Khidmat Nasihat Pelabelan advisory is RM1,000 per label and lists each fault. Both are voluntary and applied for through FoSIM (KKM, 14 Nov 2026).

Is date marking required on every food in Malaysia?

No. It is mandatory for a listed group of foods such as biscuits, bread, chocolate, sauces and milk products. Other foods may carry a date, but it must use a prescribed wording such as 'TARIKH AKHIR' or 'BAIK SEBELUM' followed by the date (Food Regulations 1985 r.14).

Can I check my food label for free?

Yes. The free food label checker on this site checks your label text, photo or PDF against the Malaysian label rules in your browser. It is a guide, not a legal opinion.