Shangri-La Rasa Sayang and Shangri-La Golden Sands, together with Jen Hotel Penang, collaborated with the Penang State Food Safety Ministry to host the Food Safety Symposium 2026 in conjunction with the World Food Safety Day 2026 celebration, and in celebration of World Gastronomy Day.
Held In Pelangi Ballroom at Shangri-La Rasa Sayang, with the theme “From Burden to Solutions – Safe Food Everywhere,” the programme was attended by 120 executives from across the food industry along with relevant government officers, and reinforced that food safety is a vital partner to sustainable gastronomy.
It strengthened strict hygiene and food handling standards, including Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) practices, at every stage of the food chain.
The symposium featured a series of insightful presentations by industry and regulatory experts. Ho Yoke Wan from the Food Safety and Quality Division, Penang State Health Department, presented key highlights of the updated MS1480:2025 standard, while Technologist Nurul Huda Aziz from the Food Safety and Quality Programme addressed advertising and food labelling practices to protect consumers while safeguarding businesses.
Irma Mohd Samsi from the Malaysian Food Journalists Association emphasised the importance of registered food journalism in upholding ethical standards and building public trust. Meanwhile, Desmond Ching of Metcal Technologies (M) Sdn Bhd delivered a thought‑provoking session titled “Calibration: Compliance or Mere Formality,” highlighting the need to ensure regulatory requirements translate into effective and practical implementation.
In support of the initiative, all participants were invited to take part in a Pledge Wall, reaffirming their commitment to upholding food safety standards and fostering a culture of accountability across the industry.
Cluster GM Jegan Selvarajan underscored the shared responsibility across the hospitality and food industries by noting that “in the hospitality and food industry, safety is the foundation of trust, every guest experience depends on consistent, accountable practices, and we must turn compliance into meaningful protection for the people who put their confidence in us.”