C VID-19

Food Security & Food

Choices:
Malaysia Perspective
Emmy Hainida Khairul Ikram (PhD)
Centre for Nutrition and Dietetics Studies,
Faculty of Health Sciences, UiTM
 ”
Informing the population about the health risks
posed by the coronavirus disease, as well as
what they can do to protect themselves, is the
best way to mitigate the spread and reduce the
amount of further contagion cases

“Timely, evidence-based information is the best

vaccine against rumors and misinformation”
NEW NORMAL
 01.
FOOD SECURITY:
DURING MCO COVID-19

Malaysia: Brief facts on Food Security

 FOOD SECURITY
1. Since March 2020, Food security portal, facilitate by International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) have been
tracking food export restrictions and documenting their impact.
C VID-19

STATUS OF RECOVERY: ASIA

COUNTRY-LEVEL FOOD SECURITY
But food security & food systems can be disrupted
 Food security: malaysia
1. The COVID-19 pandemic has serious potential negative impacts on food security and
nutrition, livelihoods and incomes, and poverty all over the world.
2. Although there is no shortage of food, disruptions in the food supply chain began to emerge
as the crisis unfolded but these were resolved speedily because online shopping became a
lifeline.
3. The pandemic also saw the emergence of a new group of families who lack the financial
resources to buy food due to the abrupt loss of employment and income.
4. Although there was technically no problem about food supply, the same cannot be said
about access to and affordability of food. .
5. Indeed, children in food insecure households are prone to suffer not only health related
problems but run a greater risk of developmental and educational delays.
 02.
FOOD choices:
Food Choices for new normal
Food Choices During mco covid 19

● If you want to maintain your current good health, keep your

immune strong and if you’re having a chronic health
condition such as diabetes, high blood pressure etc., you’ll
need to manage it well so that you don’t make yourself
susceptible to an infection. These are the fundamentals of
staying well.

● As you plan out your grocery list, put foods you want to buy
in the categories of protein, grains, vegetables, fruit, dairy
and miscellaneous.
Food Choices During mco covid 19
● Proteins – Eggs, fresh/frozen meat and fish that you can keep in
the freezer, canned tuna/sardine/meat, ikan bilis and dry/canned
beans and nuts (including nut butters).
● Grains – Rice, bread, mee hoon, dry noodles, pasta, oatmeal,
breakfast cereal, wholegrain crackers, tortilla wraps.
● Vegetables – Do remember that leafy green vegetables can’t be
kept for too long and need to be cooked.

○ Choose sturdier vegetables that keep longer such as carrots,

cabbage, celery, French beans, long beans, ladies’ fingers,
bitter gourd, and tomatoes are some choices that keep well
in the fridge longer. Consider root vegetables like potatoes,
corn, sweet potatoes and yams are longer lasting choices
too.
Food Choices During mco covid 19

● Fruit – Our local fruits are highly nutritious with vitamins,

antioxidants and fiber. So there’s no need to bust your
budget by buying expensive imported fruit : bananas,
papaya, pineapple, guava and mangoes etc.
● Dairy – Liquid or powdered milk, cheese and yogurt. If you
don't take cow's milk, then consider other types of milk
such as soya or nut milks.
● Miscellaneous items required for your cooking – Cooking oil,
salt, pepper, herbs and spices, sugar, salt, sauces,
marinades, stock cubes, aromatic ingredients (onion, garlic,
ginger, serai, turmeric, etc).
Food Choices During mco covid 19
● With the crucial stage of the pandemic we’re facing right
now, it’s imperative we take this seriously as reducing our
exposure to others (i.e. social distancing) is our best
defence to contain the spread of the virus.

● Food delivery service? : The more you are able to cook

meals at home, the more you are lessening your
dependence on food deliveries and take outs. And this in
turn lessens the exposure from people who have to work to
keep these services running during the MCO. To fight this
pandemic, we need to co-operate in social distancing for
everyone’s health and safety — even for the restaurant and
delivery staff.
 PROTECTION TIPS

Maintain social distancing Keep objects and surfaces clean

Wash your hands frequently Don’t touch eyes, nose or mouth

WE MUST each
DO OUR part