Deputy Health Minister Dr Hilmi Yahaya said this was one of the strategies identified to control non-contagious diseases related to food.

“However, the proposal to impose tax is subject to approval by the Ministry of Finance,” he said in reply to Senator Abdul Rahim Abdul Rahman, who wanted to know of the government’s proposal to implement “sugar tax”, similar to the one implemented in Britain, during the question and answer session at the Dewan Negara here yesterday.

Hilmi said the proposal was also included in the government’s National Plan of Action on Nutrition III and policy options for the years 2016-2025, to address the problem of obesity.

In addition, Hilmi said the ministry also held the Young Doctor’s programme for students in primary and secondary schools as well as universities, which emphasised on healthy eating and hygiene.

He said about 3,000 primary schools, 100 secondary schools, and seven universities were involved in the programme.

“At school, there is a healthy menu programme, and canteens are prohibited from selling non-nutritious foods, including those situated within 40 metres of the school’s premises,” he said.