KUALA LUMPUR, April 11 — The health ministry has encouraged restaurants to provide calorie count for the food served at the premises.

Minister, Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam said such a move would make the public aware of their calorie intake to enable them to lead a healthy lifestyle.

“All canned food which we purchase in shops display calorie count (on their wrappers), so it’s better if the food we buy from restaurants also display calorie count,” he said.

He was speaking to reporters after opening a fair promoting fitness and good health here today.

Dr Subramaniam said previous data from the National Health and Morbidity Survey indicated at least 63 per cent of adults aged 18 and above had at least one non-communicable disease (NCD) risk factor.

Thus, he said, as a nation working together for better health, everyone should and must collaborate to counter the rising NCD epidemic, through healthy eating or active lifestyle.

On the Goods and Services Tax (GST) implementation on health insurance, Dr Subramaniam said the ministry had sent a letter to the finance ministry this week for a review.

He said the finance ministry would take some time to review the matter as it continued to get many applications from other ministries, as well.

The three-day fair which began yesterday features the promotion of an active lifestyle via a range of products and services displayed to encourage the public to lead a healthier way of life. — Bernama