Penang, 23 January 2026 — A one-day training programme titled “Understanding Food Additives: Compliance & Labelling” was successfully conducted at the School of Industrial Technology, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM). The programme was facilitated by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tan Thuan Chew and attracted 17 participants from local food industries, including an academician from Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR).
The training marked Dr. Tan’s first professional training engagement for 2026 and focused on strengthening participants’ knowledge of food additive regulations, compliance requirements, and labelling practices. A key component of the session was hands-on exposure to navigating the Codex General Standard for Food Additives (GSFA) Online Database, an essential tool for determining permitted additives and usage conditions.
Dr. Tan highlighted that while the Codex GSFA database can be challenging for first-time users, continued practice and exploration would make the system more intuitive over time. Participants were encouraged to remain persistent, actively ask questions, and continue developing their regulatory competency beyond the training session.
The programme also provided an opportunity for professional networking, with several returning participants reconnecting and sharing their ongoing interest in food regulatory matters.
PPTI expressed appreciation to all participants for their active involvement and enthusiasm, and reaffirmed their commitment to supporting capacity building in food safety, compliance, and regulatory understanding within the local food industry.