PETALING JAYA: A health think tank has urged the government to introduce a tiered excise tax on sweetened condensed milk, sweetened creamer, and similar high-sugar milk-based products as part of a broader strategy to prevent and control diabetes and other non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
The Galen Centre for Health and Social Policy said the tax, which it proposed for Budget 2027, should apply to retail cans and packets sold in supermarkets, as well as commercial and bulk supplies used by restaurants, mamak outlets, kopitiams, cafes, bakeries, and food manufacturers.
The think tank said revenue generated from the tax should be earmarked for NCD prevention and control programmes, including diabetes screening, early treatment, public health campaigns, nutrition education, and support for small food operators.
Galen Centre CEO Azrul Khalib said while Malaysia had implemented a sugar-sweetened beverage tax, it had excluded condensed milk, despite it being one of the most common and normalised sources of added sugar in the Malaysian diet.
“It is poured daily into teh tarik, kopi, Milo, chocolate drinks, and other beverages, and is also widely used in desserts, roti canai, spreads, cendol, ais kacang, kuih, cakes, and home cooking,” he said in a statement.
“Unlike bottled soft drinks, condensed milk is often invisible in the final product. Consumers may not know how much has been added to their drinks or food.
“A glass of teh tarik or kopi at a mamak stall, kopitiam, or restaurant can contain several spoonfuls of condensed milk. This makes it a major and under-regulated source of sugar consumption among Malaysians.”
Azrul said Galen Centre was not seeking to attack Malaysia’s food culture, but wanted to raise awareness of the detrimental impact excessive sugar consumption has on the nation’s health.
He said diabetes increases the risk of chronic kidney disease, which can lead to kidney failure, heart attacks, strokes, blindness, nerve damage, and lower-limb amputations.
According to the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2023, 15.6% of Malaysian adults have diabetes, 29.2% have hypertension, 33.3% have high cholesterol, and 54.4% are overweight or obese.
Azrul said almost 2.3 million adults are living with three NCDs, while many others have multiple overlapping risk factors.
He said NCDs cost Malaysia an estimated RM64.2 billion in 2021, equivalent to 4.2% of the GDP. This comprised RM12.4 billion in public healthcare expenditure and RM51.8 billion in productivity losses.
“Every ringgit not spent on prevention today will be paid many times over tomorrow through dialysis, hospital admissions, heart procedures, medicines, disability, lost productivity, and premature death,” he said.
“Malaysia already spends billions treating conditions that are strongly linked to diet and sugar exposure. A condensed milk tax is a practical, targeted and necessary next step.
“Good food and drinks should not come at the cost of a future marked by diabetes, kidney failure, blindness, amputations, and heart disease.”
