Woman’s Alleged Death After Consuming a Glutathione Supplement - What Brand Owners & Consumers Must Know
- Admin
- 15 minutes ago
- 2 min read
A shocking incident has drawn nationwide attention - a woman in Malaysia reportedly died after consuming a supplement purchased online. The Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH), through its Food Safety and Quality Division (FSQD), has since launched an investigation into the case.
This incident serves as a serious wake-up call for both brand owners and consumers, highlighting the importance of product safety, transparent labelling, and compliance with Malaysia’s Food Regulations 1985.g helps you avoid enforcement issues, protects your brand reputation, and builds trust with consumers.
Key Facts of The Glutathione Supplement Case
The product involved was an online supplement, reportedly priced around RM20, marketed for skin-lightening.
Preliminary checks found the product contained Glutathione — a substance listed under the “Negative List” in the Drug Registration Guidance Document (DRGD), meaning it is not permitted for use in food supplements.
The FSQD noted that the product may have breached Section 13B(2)(d) of the Food Act 1983, which prohibits the use of any unapproved or non-permitted substances in food products
Regulatory Insights For Brand Owners
Glutathione is prohibited in food supplements
Any supplement containing glutathione is deemed non-compliant and subject to enforcement under Malaysia’s food and supplement regulations.
Mislabelling or renaming ingredients is a violation
Some brands attempt to disguise prohibited ingredients under alternative names. This constitutes a labelling offence and may be treated as a deliberate act of misleading consumers.
Substances on the Negative List are strictly regulated
Any formulation containing ingredients listed in the DRGD Negative List falls outside the scope of compliant food supplements and may instead be classified as a health supplement or drug product.
Online marketing does not exempt regulatory compliance
All supplements sold through e-commerce or social media platforms must still adhere to MOH and NPRA standards.
Our Advice For Consumers
The FSQD plays a central role in ensuring food safety and compliance in Malaysia. Their responsibilities include:
Enforcing the Food Act 1983 and Food Regulations 1985
Monitoring food safety, quality and labelling accuracy
Reviewing product claims and approving certain categories (e.g., special purpose foods)
What We Can Offer For Brand Owners
If you’re planning to launch or market a food supplement in Malaysia, regulatory compliance must come first. Our team provides:
Formulation review: Ensuring all ingredients are permitted for your product type under Food Regulations or Supplement frameworks.
Label compliance: Ensuring ingredient names, claims, and mandatory information meet FSQD and NPRA standards.
Regulatory submission support: Guiding you through the right classification, documentation, and approval pathway before market entry.
Conclusion
The glutathione case is a clear reminder that regulatory compliance is non-negotiable. Mislabelled or unapproved supplements not only endanger public health but can also lead to severe legal and reputational consequences for brands.
Whether you are a manufacturer, importer, or brand owner, always take the time to verify your product’s classification, formulation, and labelling before it reaches consumers.
Stay informed. Stay compliant. And most importantly stay safe.
Aqurate Ingredients is an international player in supplying functional ingredients and providing innovative solutions to the food & beverage, nutraceutical, pharmaceutical and cosmeceutical industry. We believe, a satisfied customer is a repeat customer.
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