Preamble :
Traditionally codes of ethics represent the attempt by a professional association to control or modify the actions of its members by providing clear guidelines on appropriate and inappropriate behaviours.

Professional codes usually cover five topics:

The Malaysian Dietitians’ Association believes it is in it best interest of the dietetic profession and the public it serves that its Ethics provides guidance to dietitians in their professional pratice and conduct.The code reflects the ethical principles and standards for dietitians and indicates the commitments and obligations the dietitian has to self, the consumer, society and the profession. This code applies in its entirety to members of the Malaysians Dietitians’ Association.

Principles
The dietitian :

CODE OF ETHICS AND GUIDELINES FOR PRACTICE

1. To futher and advance the knowledge of nutrition, and dietetics throughout

2. To raise the standard of nutrition and dietetics in Malaysia and to support and protect the character , status and interest of the persons practising the profession
of dietetics in Malaysia.

The following guidelines should direct dietetic practice in Malaysia :

2.1 The dietitian must continually strive to improve her/his professional knowledge, and reassess present dietetic praticses in light of current research.

2.2 The dietitian may advise an individual therapcutically, expert in an emergency.

i. Only if referred by a patient’s medical or dental practitioner ; or
ii. After dietary treatment has been agreed in consultation with the patient’s medical or dental practitioner; or
iii. Via a procedure which has been previously agreed by dietitians and relevent medical staff and which is in accordance with a registrant’s professional duty.

These consideration do not preclude arrangements being made for the acceptance of referrals from other health professional providing they fall within the procedure refereed to in (iii) above.

2.3 Dietitian must act impartially, and give a uniformly high standard or treatment to all people regardless of sex, race, religion, politics or socio - economic status.

2.4 The dietitian must take full responsibility for the service of the therapeutic meals she/he has a responsibility to all patients to provide nutritionally adequate meals, which are an essential part of the total treatment of each patient whether directly or indirectly in her/his care.

2.5 The dietitian must operate within the constraints of professional secrecy. She / he must not divulge confidential information about patients except to others involved in these treatments.

2.6 The dietitan has a responsibility to related profession to appreaciate their roles
and maintain harmonius relations.The dietitian must assume proper responsibilities
yet know how to collaborate with other professions.

2.7 The dietitian has a responsibility to interest her/ his self toward the health of thecommunity and should participate in activities where her / his knowledge is of value.

2.8 Dietitian may not improperly promote the sale of any product in connection with her/his profession as a dietitian or for her / his personal advantage for example
using a single brand name as sole decription of a product or failing to mention
suitable alternatives except for those whose job requires them to do such
promotions.

2.9 Dietitians employed by the commercial sector must bear in mind their professional aims, and safeguard thier independence.

2.10 Dietitians may not accept commission for promoting of band names from commercial firms. The Association as a whole may solicit and accept donations for the benefit of all members, so long as there is no obligation to firm, which make donations.

2.11 Dietitians should act againt fraud and deceptive pratices in their field.

These guidelines have been established to help dietitians from their own codes of pratise and either behaviour.

Although MDA cannot enforce any of the above points, it does reserve the right to censure or refuse membership privileges to any member who, in the opinion of the Executive Council, has deliberately flouted these guidelines thereby bringing discredit to the dietetic profession.

Should it be necessary for the Exercutive Council to deprive a member of membership privileges, the Exercutive Council must give that member three
weeks notice in writing of its intention and the reasons for its actions. The member must show cause why discipline action cannot be taken against her / him.