Food quality and food security have been a strategic concern in human history. Although all countries seek to be self-sufficient in food and, in particular, in nutritious food, food security, and food security have begun to overtake the goal of self-sufficiency since the 1990s. Self-sufficiency demonstrates the degree to which national food demand is fulfilled by national development. However, this measure does not represent the safe and appropriate diet of all individuals in the world, whether the nation is self-sufficient in food production or the country is a major exporter.

For this cause, the emphasis has lately been on the measure of food safety rather than self-sufficiency. Around the same time, food hygiene has become an important consideration in food intake. According to FAO's concept of food safety, all people in a given area should have access to adequate to their daily dietary needs and sufficient, clean and nutritional food, which they choose to have, in an active and stable life and in a socially desirable and environmentally sustainable way (FAO, 1996).

Food protection, which is one of the essential criteria of food security, refers to the lack of pollutants, foreign chemicals, naturally present toxins, and related substances that can be acute and permanently toxic to the food or to detect at appropriate, healthy amounts.

Competition is growing at different levels of the food industry. The economic conditions of the big multinational food firms in the world markets are rising. In this sense, the increasing market hegemony in the food and retail sectors has generated disruptive stress on small and medium-sized businesses as well as on price wars. Growing competition, technological developments, and opportunities for differentiation of goods by globalization have made development an important weapon for competition in both national and foreign markets.

What is the purpose of the MeSTI Certification in Malaysia?

MESTI certification companies operating in the food services business such as producing, processing as well as serving are mandated to apply the Food Safety Assurance Program. In this sense, companies shall create a structure with a national application for the planned and documented activities. Access to the facilities, monitoring operations, and traceability are among the key themes of effective PJKM.

MeSTI is a product safety program implemented by the Ministry of Health of Malaysia to develop a food hygiene control and strategic planning framework that covers food safety and food reliability and efficiency. The MESTI certification logo is incorporated through this program as proof of compliance with food safety and is a safety regulation to follow for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises in Malaysia if they desire to become a leading producer or exporter of food products. This is also facilitating the implementation of food safety standards which are fundamentals to other certifications such as HACCP and GMP.

The Benefits of MeSTI Certification in Malaysia

- Fast track and simple food safety certification and ease of access

- Fulfillment of the specifications set out in the Food Hygiene Regulations 2009

- Being allowed to sell and market the goods through supermarkets, KR1 M and COOP1 M markets

- Free Sales Certificate Accomplishment

- Consultancy and feedback from the Ministry of Health

- The MESTI logo on your brand logos will improve consumer satisfaction and engagement.

- Increase sales activities thanks to the quality of this certification To know more information about MeSTI certification, you might want to check out this website.