Deputy health minister Lukanisman Awang Sauni said the grading system, once fully implemented, will display clear labels – A, B, or C – based on the percentage of sugar in the products.

“These labels are intended to make it easier for consumers to assess the sugar content in their food choices and make more informed decisions,” he said after an event in Taman Tunku, Miri, reported The Borneo Post.

Lukanisman also said the grading system was part of the government’s large-scale “War on Sugar” campaign.

He added that the campaign could help reduce the strain on healthcare services, which has seen an increased number of patients suffering from NCDs due to excessive sugar intake.

In August, Bernama quoted health minister Dzulkefly Ahmad as saying that the introduction of the grading system would be tabled in a Cabinet session soon.

He also said the grading system is one of up to five programmes planned by the ministry for the campaign.

Earlier today, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim reminded the people to take health knowledge seriously, particularly regarding the dangers of excessive sugar consumption.

He said it was important as Malaysia now has the highest rate of diabetes cases in Southeast Asia and it showed that the level of health literacy among the people in the country remains low.