FOOD supplies might be disrupted next week as manufacturers are running out of packaging for their products, said sources.

Two food manufacturers told The Malaysian Insight they will run out of cartons, paper boxes and other types of packaging as their suppliers have been ordered to stop working.

“Manufacturing food is just one part of the operation,” said the executive of a company that produces soft drinks, confectionery and other drink products.

“But there are many other vital components that ensure the products we manufacture get to consumers.”

Along the line, the source said, are logistics, ingredients and most of all packaging.

“Even if we can continue manufacturing our foodstuff, we can’t get it to the retailers, distributors and eventually supermarkets and grocery shops if we can’t pack them into carton boxes,” he said.

The executive said their packaging suppliers told them on Thursday they can’t supply any more packaging as the authorities have ordered them to cease operations due to the movement-control order (MCO).

“Unless something is done quickly, we will run out of boxes and cartons next week,” he added.

He showed The Malaysian Insight a copy of the letter from the packaging manufacturer to its employees about ceasing production.

On Wednesday, the first day of the MCO, the National Security Council issued a statement to say exemptions will be given to certain manufacturers.

After consulting the various manufacturing stakeholders, the government approved, with conditions, for critical manufacturers to continue operating.

Among the conditions include operational capacity at 50%, a shift system for workers, a list of their details, a system to check body temperatures of all the staff, adequate hand sanitisers at the factory premises and a list of their products and clients.

Those on the critical list included manufacturers of foodstuff, cleaning materials, personal protective equipment, pharmaceuticals, packaging and printing items, medical equipment and support items for the medical industry, such as ventilators.

Despite that, on Thursday, several packaging manufacturers were told to stop working, pending their applications to the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (Miti).

One packaging manufacturer showed documents submitted to Miti on Wednesday, as per requirements.

“But we haven’t received any reply yet. Added to that, we were told by local council officers to stop our operations,” said the packaging manufacturer.

Another food producer told The Malaysian Insight that his company would also have to stop work next week as it has run out of packaging.

“We only have enough boxes until next Wednesday. After that, we’re stuck,” said the officer. – March 21, 2020.