She said the ministry had sought an explanation from the caterers involved, who said it was difficult to find fresh supplies and that this had affected the quality of the food.

“The caterers admitted the low quality of food, but said this was due to the shortage of perishable products. They also need to travel far to buy these goods.

“We have given them a warning. But, with the flood situation now, it is difficult to find a replacement.

“So there has to be some give and take on both sides to help solve the problem,” she told reporters after visiting flood victims at the SK Kota Dalam relief centre here.

Nancy said meals in retort packages were distributed to flood victims on their first day at the relief centre, adding that it was later left to them if they wished to work together to prepare their meals.

She added that the ministry had no problem if flood victims at relief centres decide to hold a gotong-royong to prepare food as the welfare department (JKM) would be helping to manage these relief centres.

To date, 415 JKM staff and 600 volunteers from several states have been deployed to help flood victims at these centres.

Yesterday, a video of an MP expressing his disappointment over the quality of food and the timing of food distribution to flood victims in Yong Peng here went viral on social media.