Malaysia waste 17,000 tonnes of food daily. The amount of food we throw everyday that is still edible can feed up to 2 million people in Malaysia with up to 3 meals per day. Why do we need to waste good food? Why didn't we channel or donate the food to those in need? Is there hope in Malaysia for us to tackle this issue? Let's look at the Malaysia Food Donors Act which was passed in parliament in 2019 and enacted in 2020 that encourages food donation to reduce food waste and how it protects the donors from any liability.
Furthermore, food waste is an alarming concern that transcends borders, harming our environment, economy, and society. In Malaysia alone, countless tons of perfectly edible food meet their demise in landfills every day, while a significant portion of the population grapples with food insecurity. It's a paradoxical situation that calls for a united effort to ensure that surplus food is redirected to those who need it most. Green Hero has emphasised this as much as we can to the F&B industry.
Thus, recognizing the need for a holistic approach to tackle both food waste and donor hesitations, Malaysia introduced the Food Donors Act. This comprehensive legislation is a sign that Malaysia is committed to becoming a better greener country and to tackling both the poverty and food waste issue.
The Food Donors Act which has become a law in Malaysia encourage F&B business and individual to donate their edible surplus of food to those in need and also at the same time provide legal protection to protect the donors from any liabilities that arise from their food donations.
Besides that, to summarize the act, it has 2 main purposes: it encourages individuals and businesses to donate their excess food while ensuring that they are safeguarded against legal liabilities. Here's how:
Encouraging Food Donations: The main goal of the act is to create a conducive environment for food donation. To remove the fear of liability, the donors are more than happy to step forward to donate their surplus edible food to those in need.
Liability Protection: Under the Food Donors Act, donors are protected from any potential legal repercussions that might arise due to food donations. As long as the food is safe to consume at the time of donation and is given to registered charitable organizations, the donors are safeguarded from any liability, be it civil or criminal.
Advantages of the Food Donors Act
To reduce & minimize food waste: By encouraging food donations and eliminating the fear of legal consequences, the Act directly contributes to reducing the amount of edible food that ends up in landfills. That's why there are more F&Bs are open to partnering with Green Hero and other soup kitchens to channel their food . Many of them are not aware of the new law that was passed in parliament.
To eradicate hunger: Donated surplus food reaches individuals and families facing food insecurity. The Act ensures that this nutritious food doesn't go to waste and instead nourishes those in need. If you know someone that needs food rescue service, connect them with Green Hero and we will help them to channel their food to NGOs that need it the most.
To boost donors' confidence: The legal protection offered by the Act boosts the confidence of potential donors, motivating them to actively participate in this noble cause without worrying about legal ramifications.
Getting Involved: A Call to Action
Donate excess food: If you have excess edible food, consider donating it to registered charitable organizations. If you ever need help getting a list of NGOs nearby your restaurants, bakery or hotel, contact Green Hero and we will help you with it.
Educate Others: Spread awareness about the Act and its benefits among your social circles to encourage more people to get involved.
Advocate for Change: Support and promote similar initiatives in your region, encouraging responsible food consumption and waste reduction.
In conclusion, the Malaysia Food Donors Act is a monumental step towards creating a more equitable and sustainable society. By encouraging food donation and providing legal protection for donors, the Act creates a nurturing environment for generosity to flourish. Let's embrace this transformative legislation and collectively work towards nourishing both hearts and bodies while safeguarding the environment for generations to come.
Together with you, we stop food waste. Let's promote food rescue and make it a new norm in Malaysia. Let's not waste edible food but let's feed people with it - Green Hero.