Healthy Plate Model Affordability Access To Food Supply Must Be Addressed Says Think Tank

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THE role of the “Suku-Suku-Separuh (SSS)” healthy plate model in the fight against malnutrition, obesity, and non-communicable diseases will go unfulfilled unless affordability and access are addressed directly, said a healthcare watchdog.
The Galen Centre for Health and Social Policy said this in response to the Ministry of Health’s (MOH) recent warning that the healthy plate model risks becomnig a “privilege for the few” if affordability is not addressed.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM) had similarly said the affordability of SSS is a nutrition‐and‐public-health strategy, not primarily due to local food supply issues.
“We believe the SSS model remains a sound and necessary guide in the fight against malnutrition, obesity, and non-communicable diseases,” said its chief executive Azrul Mohd Khalib.
“However, based on evidence, its promise will go unfulfilled unless affordability and access are addressed directly.”
To do so, Azrul recommended that the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) be modified so that its eligible items include fruits and vegetables, saying targeted vouchers or subsidies for lower-income households for fresh produce / protein sources could also be considered.
He also suggested that the Menu Rahmah be improved and expanded so that the meals offered conform more closely to SSS guidelines rather than just minimal protein and carbohydrates.
For context, the SSS model recommends a quarter portion of protein, a quarter portion of carbohydrates, and half a portion of fruits and vegetables for each meal.
He also said the government should adapt and monitor regional differences in the SSS model, recognising that cost burdens vary significantly across states.
“The government should establish transparent benchmarks for the cost of a standard SSS meal in every state, including breakdowns by food group, so the public can see where prices are high and why,” he said.
“Investment in local agriculture should also be increased through support for smallholder farmers, prioritising strategies to reduce the costs of fertilisers, feed, seeds, and subsidise logistics for remote areas,” he stated.
Azrul said whole-of-government collaboration is also crucial, with MOH, KPKM, Ministry and Domestic Trade & Cost of Living (KPDN), Ministry of Finance and other relevant agencies coordinating food security, agricultural, trade, subsidies, public health, and social welfare policies.
“Trade policies, import tariffs, subsidies, and regulations should help rather than hinder affordable access to nutritious food. It should not be treated as simply MOH’s problem to solve,” he added.
He said while awareness is important, it must be coupled with enabling conditions such as financial incentives, infrastructure. so that people can act on that knowledge.
“Cooking-at-home, buying seasonal produce, reducing waste are useful strategies but only practical when fresh produce is accessible and costs are manageable,” Azrul noted.
“While the healthy eating strategy is crucial, the claim that affordability is not linked to local food supply or production costs appears to overlook data and ground realities.
He further pointed out that rising costs of agricultural necessities such as seeds, fertilisers, feed; reliance on imports; post-harvest losses, logistics costs, and market inefficiencies all feed into the retail prices of fruits, vegetables, and proteins.
“If supply chain constraints and input cost pressures are not addressed, food, especially nutritious food will remain expensive. We need to address this urgently,” he said.
A recent survey conducted by Galen Centre for Health and Social Policy and Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) revealed that the majority of households find SSS diets financially burdensome and possibly unaffordable.
According to the survey, the cost of a balanced meal ranged between RM8.53 in Kedah and RM16.27 in Kuala Lumpur, with the average cost coming out to be RM12.57.
Other states recorded mid-range prices such as RM11.78 in Negeri Sembilan, RM11.62 in Melaka, RM10.33 in Sabah, and RM10.22 in Penang.
Johor (RM14.84), Selangor (RM14.60) and Sarawak (RM14.20) were among the higher-cost states, while Perlis (RM9.68), Perak (RM9.95), Pahang (RM8.78), Terengganu (RM8.71) and Labuan (RM9.50) remained below RM10. ‒  Focus Malaysia

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