No sale of alcohol for anyone under 21

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Jefri (left) and Environmental Health Officer of Domestic Enforcement Unit for Food Safety and Quality Division Sarawak Ahmad Zaidi Ujang (right) pose in front of a warning sign at a supermarket.

KUCHING: Consumers under the age of 21 years old can no longer purchase alcoholic drinks beginning Oct 16 with the amendments to the country Food Regulations 1985 coming into force.

The amendment of the Regulation 361 under the Food Regulations 1985 is related to the general standards for existing alcoholic drinks and establishing a new regulation 386A on Compounded Hard Liquor (CHL).

Under the amendment, all alcohol drinks can only be sold to consumers age 21 years and above and a notice written with ‘Drinking Alcohol Endangers Health’ must be display in front of location selling alcoholic drinks.

All alcoholics drinks must now be labelled with ‘Drinking Alcohol Endanger Health beginning the Oct 16.

Besides this, all alcoholic drinks must be displayed on different cabinets and a statement with ‘Drinking Alcohol Endangers Health’ must be labelled on all alcoholic products.

Failure to adhere to the Regulation 361 and 386(A) regarding Compounded Hard Liquor (CHL) will constitute an offence with a fine of not exceeding RM10,000 or jail time not exceeding two years.

The amendment of the Regulation is in line with the ‘Global Strategy to Reduce Harmful Use of Alcohol’ which were endorsed by all Health Ministers during 63th ‘World Health Assembly’ held in 2010.

According to a statement by State Health Department director Dr Jamilah Hashim, a total of 879 premises had be inspected by the State Health Department up to Oct 17 and more than RM7,000 worth of alcoholic products had been confiscated.

“All CHL products must also be sold in glass bottle with a minimum volume of 700ml under the new Regulation 386A,” said deputy health director from food safety and health division Mohammad Jefri Crossley during one of the inspections at a local supermarkets at Jalan Setia Raja here.

A total of RM587 worth of alcoholic drinks had been confiscated from the supermarket and two notices had been issued to the business owner for failing to comply with the regulations.

For any complaints on food safety, members of the public may contact State Health Department or the nearest District Health Department or log on to http://moh.spab.gov.my or visit Food Safety and Quality Division Facebook page at www.facebook.com/bkkmhq.