Malaysian Franchise Association says sweetness caps need consumer input
Malaysian Franchise Association secretary-general Khairul Azman Yusoh said blanket caps on sugar levels in drinks would require consumer surveys and industry-wide consultation.
Source: Malaysian Franchise Association · July 28, 2026 at 10:57 PM · AI-assisted report
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BANGKOK, 29 JULY 2026 —
Malaysian Franchise Association secretary-general Khairul Azman Yusoh said blanket caps on sugar levels in drinks would require consumer surveys and industry-wide consultation.
Market Impact
Khairul said industry-wide limits cannot be imposed without proper research and dialogue with franchise operators. “If consumers have more awareness, the industry will react to it,” he told FMT. His remarks follow calls for Malaysia to adopt Thailand’s new sugar policy, which reduced default sweetness by 50% across nine beverage chains under government collaboration. Under the Thai campaign, a “normal sweetness” label now represents half the original sugar content.
Khairul welcomed government initiatives such as the sugar-sweetened beverage tax and said Malaysians are increasingly health-conscious. He noted that brands have already introduced tiered drink options and healthier alternatives without regulatory pressure.
Malaysia ranks second in ASEAN for obesity and has the highest diabetes rate in Southeast Asia. Health activist Chan Li Jin urged the government to adopt Thailand’s approach, citing data that one in five Malaysians live with diabetes and nearly half are undiagnosed. “When people cannot make the right choices for their health, the government must step in,” she said.
Khairul emphasised that sugar levels should not be dictated without wider engagement. “This is all about consumer choice. As businesses, we still have to leave it to the consumer. Health is in their hands,” he told FMT.
Related: Bangkok