Sugarless drinks may cost less - Food outlet operators are mulling over a move to charge different prices for drinks with sugar and those without

Sugarless drinks may cost less
By MAZWIN NIK AZIZ
mazwin@thestar.com.my

PUTRAJAYA: Food outlet operators are mulling over a move to charge different prices for drinks with sugar and those without.

The idea for two sets of prices for drinks with and without sugar was proposed to food outlet operators’ association by the Domestic Trade, Co-operatives and Consu­merism Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri.

“This will encourage consumers to order sugarless drinks. It will be good for their health and it will also be good for their pockets.

“We hope food outlet operators are receptive to this idea so it can be implemented soon,” he told reporters after a two-hour dialogue with representatives from Malaysian Muslim Restaurant Owners Association (Presma), Malaysian Indian Restaurant Owners Association (Primas), the Federal Territory Bumiputra Hawkers and Petty Traders Association and the Malaysia-Singapore Coffeeshop Proprietors General Association yesterday.

Cost conundrum: Gan working at his drinks stall at a food court in Petaling Jaya Monday. He will raise beverage prices if the price of sugar increases.

On another matter, the minister said that coffeeshop and restaurant operators should have no problem securing cooking oil, sugar and flour supply as their respective associations would now act as wholesalers.

He said licences would be issued to associations at state-level.

Ismail Sabri, however, stressed that having the wholesalers’ licence was not a ticket for the associations to “run a business selling these products”.

“I have reminded the associations the licence is not for them to make money by selling sugar, flour and cooking oil.

“The licence is to facilitate food outlet operators to purchase the goods through their respective associations.

“The associations have given me their word that they will adhere strictly to the conditions and supply goods to their members at market price,” he said.

On the associations’ request for them to act as wholesalers for onions, Ismail said he would take it up with the Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministry.