KUALA LUMPUR: The garish pink sirap bandung and lurid-coloured desserts are some of the hot-selling food at Ramadan bazaars across the country.
But health experts and consumer associations have warned patrons to exercise care when buying food and drinks sold at these places.
In particular, about the food additives and colouring used in the food which are mostly prepared at home.
"People are curious about the cleanliness, colouring and additives used by these petty traders. They want information," said Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations chief executive officer Mohd Yusof Abdul Rahman.
He said Ramadan bazaars were "not really regulated" even though local government officers and Health Ministry officials at the district level conducted random checks.
"There are no clear guidelines on what should or shouldn't go into the food and drinks.
"But consumers should complain to the Health Ministry if there are incidents of food poisoning or if they see traders handling food dirtily,"
National Consumers Complaints Centre chief executive Muhammad Sha'ani Abdullah said consumers should boycott stalls and alert the authorities of any irresponsible traders.
"With the volume involved, it is not possible for the regulators to control every trader. So consumers must self-regulate. Be aware."
For Malaysian Dietitians' Association president Tan Yoke Hwa, traders should only use natural dyes and flavours.
"For example, if you want to colour your food brown, use gula melaka or chocolate. Don't use artificial colouring."
She also advised patrons to forgo artificially-coloured and flavoured drinks for more natural ones such as soya bean and sugarcane.
"Patrons should also monitor their calorie intake and food hygiene. Watch out for fried food and don't go overboard with sweet delicacies."
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