Ever scrolled through a food delivery app, spotted the juiciest burger in human history, ordered it with dreams in your eyes… only to receive something that looks like it lost a fight with a microwave? Well, you might not be imagining things. That burger might not even exist. It could be an AI-generated masterpiece – all pixels and no pickles.

The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN) has had enough of this culinary catfishing. They're putting their foot down (probably not in the curry) and insisting that food businesses must clearly label any food photos created by artificial intelligence. That's right – if your chicken chop looks like it was crafted by the gods of Photoshop, it better come with a sign saying, "Made by AI, not by Auntie Kam's wok."

"Yup, it has to be stated clearly," KPDN told LifestyleTech, like a stern teacher catching someone copying homework. Their guidelines on advertising are pretty straightforward: don't lie, don't mislead, and definitely don't trick people into thinking your AI pizza is real. Apparently, consumers like knowing what they're buying (wild, right?).

Malaysians, being the smart and spicy folks they are, have already taken to Reddit to vent about these sneaky AI food pics. "That nasi lemak looked Michelin-starred but arrived looking like it got evicted from the kitchen," one might imagine someone ranting. But KPDN hasn't officially received any complaints. Yet. They're just pre-heating the warning oven for now.

Food businesses and delivery platforms are being encouraged to check the ministry's guidelines online. They're not just rules – they're a recipe for avoiding customer rage (and possible lawsuits).

Experts have also chimed in, saying these AI-enhanced food images can mess with consumer trust and trigger some very unnecessary "hangry" shopping sprees. One minute you're browsing dinner, next thing you know you've ordered twelve sets of sushi rolls that only exist in Midjourney.

If you have been bamboozled by one of these digital delicacies, KPDN has a few ways you can unleash your inner justice warrior. File a complaint via WhatsApp (019 848 8000), head to the e-aduan portal, call their hotline, or download the ezADU app. Or if you're feeling salty, just leave a brutal one-star review. Sometimes, revenge is best served cold… like your misrepresented ramen.

And if a business is caught red-handed (or red-curry-sauced) with fake ads? Oh, the consequences are spicier than sambal. Individuals could be fined up to RM100,000 or jailed for three years, and companies can get slapped with a RM250,000 fine. That's a lot of nasi lemak down the drain.

So next time you see a burger that looks too good to be true? Check for the AI tag. Because while technology can do wonders, it still can't fry an egg or wrap a banana leaf with love.