Sellers of ready-to-eat food without Myanmar language ingredient labels to face imprisonment and fines

The Department of Consumer Affairs (DOCA), controlled by the military junta, announced on July 21 that action would be taken against shops selling ready-to-eat food without Myanmar language ingredient labels. The directive covers eight types of products, primarily targeting ready-to-eat foods that do not display ingredients and safety information in the Myanmar language. According to the Consumer Protection Law, goods sold in Myanmar must mandatorily display ingredients and health warnings in the Myanmar language so that buyers can be aware of potential allergies and health risks in advance. The announcement did not include details on Myanmar's economic situation. The school canteens, which are among the places to be inspected, are fundamentally small businesses with low profit margins. This announcement came 11 days before the deadline of July 31, set by the military junta leader Min Aung Hlaing for his "100-day plan." Min Aung Hlaing announced the launch of this plan on April 20, and it focused on infrastructure, communications, education, health, and water supply projects in five out of 31 ministries, according to ISP-Myanmar, a policy research group. ISP-Myanmar analyzes that the junta is using this plan to present itself as a legitimate government, even as wars are raging across the country and economic sectors are collapsing. Furthermore, July 31 is also the deadline for the military junta's invitation to ethnic armed organizations and the People's Defence Force (PDF) to negotiate peace or lay down their arms. Editor: Naung Naung