KUALA LUMPUR: Beverage companies have set in place initiatives to meet the government’s call for a healthier lifestyle.
They have taken steps to reduce the sugar in their products, ahead of the government’s move to implement a sugar tax.
The steps, they said, were taken immediately upon announcement that the tax would come into effect today.
A Nestle (M) Bhd spokesman said most of the company’s products would not be impacted by the sugar tax.
“We have been reformulating our products for years in line with Nestlé’s commitment to produce healthier and more nutritious products.
“Therefore, the majority of products within our ‘Ready to Drink’ category are not impacted by the implementation of the tax on sugar sweetened beverages.
“As such, we will not be required to make any significant price increase at this time.”
Meanwhile, the Customs Department has issued guidelines and procedures to assist businesses throughout the transition period between today and the end of next month.
A spokesman said details on the tax and guidelines were available at www.customs.gov.my/ ms/pg/Pages/pg_mainssb.aspx.
For enquiries, contact the Customs Call Centre at 1 300 888 500 (from 8.30am to 10pm).
It was reported that the implementation of the sugar tax was delayed from its original date of April 1 following feedback from manufacturers and the Customs Department.