KUANTAN: The use of retort technology to extend the shelf life of food will be implemented this year to encourage the contribution of food by the industry under the Food Donors Protection Act 2020.
Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said a pilot project using the machine would be starting at Hotel Seri Malaysia in Perlis and Hotel Primula, Terengganu.
“This technology would enable excess food which is still good and has not been touched from the hotels to be collected and processed using retort technology before being distributed to recipients in target groups.
“The merging of act and technology as well as the reception of industry would help realise the objective of “zero food waste” in future apart from practising sustainable living,” he said.
Nanta said this in a media statement issued in conjunction with the Aid Delivery Programme under Selected Companies Corporate Social Responsibility to 200 families in the Jelai state constituency in Sungai Koyan 2, Lipis, about 337 kilometres from here today.
The Food Donors Protection Act 2020 which was gazetted on March 13 2020 is aimed at encouraging food contribution to needy groups by giving protection to donors especially corporations without fear of being sued.
Commenting on today’s programme, Nanta said his ministry represented the companies involved to deliver aid as such dried food, cooking and drink ingredients, which would help lighten the burden of those affected by floods early this year and the Covid-19 pandemic.
Among the participating companies are Mamee-Double Decker Distribution (M) Sdn Bhd, Gentle Supreme Sdn Bhd, Crispo-Tato Sdn Bhd, Fraser & Neave Holdings Bhd, Morris Food Industries Sdn Bhd, Central Sugars Refinery Sdn Bhd, Legasi Z Sufi Group of Companies, Indadi Utama (M) Sdn Bhd and Vinda Group SEA.
“The ministry is very grateful for the involvement of industrial players, retailers and distributors and hoped more would join the programme in future,” he said. – Bernama
(Retorting is the heating of low acid foods prone to microbial spoilage in hermetically sealed containers to extend their shelf life. The goal of retort processing is to obtain commercial sterilisation by application of heat.)
