Ready-to-eat meals in retort packaging to be sent to affected areas during monsoons

KUALA LUMPUR: Packs of ready-to-eat food using retort packaging technology will be supplied to remote and difficult-to-access areas during the monsoon season, says Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Rina Mohd Harun.

Retort packaging is a food packaging technology that allows food to last up to 18 to 24 months without refrigeration.

“The retort-packaged food will not get spoiled even if exposed to rain, unlike cooked food that used to be supplied to flood victims previously,” she told reporters after officiating the Wanita Bangkit@KPWKM entrepreneurship programme here on Tuesday (Sept 13).

She said in preparation for the floods, essential items such as dry food, mineral water, disposable diapers for children and adults, sanitary napkins and bath towels had already been sent to mini depots throughout the country.

Rina added that the Social Welfare Department had conducted a flood simulation exercise with various related agencies, and there were 10,000 flood volunteers ready for duty.

The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) had previously forecast that the country would experience continuous heavy rain from mid-November, leading to significant floods at the end of the month. – Bernama