Customs orders 1,800 tons of coconut oil be re-exported

• Decision made after imported coconut oil consignment fails second round of tests
• Customs and SLFI assure no contaminated stocks released to market
• Oil consignment to be re-exported this week, says Customs DG
• ICC says oils in local market safe for consumption
• Health Min. regularly tests food imports, including oils
• New laws mooted to dispose of used cooking oils safely  

By Asiri Fernando

The Customs Department has informed the importers of 1,800,000 kg of coconut oil, to re-export the stock after a second round of tests by the Sri Lanka Standards Institute (SLSI) found samples of the consignment to be unfit for consumption, a top official said yesterday. Customs Director General Maj. Gen. (Rtd) Vijitha Ravipriya, told the Daily FT that the decision had been made to ensure public trust in local market products was maintained. 

The importers of the coconut oil had requested a second round of testing on their consignment after Customs, based on a SLSI report, had directed them to re-export the stock in question.

The consignment of imported unrefined coconut oil was found to contain alfatoxins, which according to the World Health Organization (WHO) is a poisonous substance produced by certain kinds of fungi (mould) found naturally all over the world. Alfatoxins can contaminate food crops and poses a serious health threat to humans and livestock, the WHO states.

According to the WHO and the Institute of Chemistry Ceylon, long-term or chronic exposure to alfatoxins can have significant health consequences, especially to the liver and kidneys as alfatoxins are potent carcinogens.

The initial order to re-export the coconut oil consignment imported by four companies caused controversy after reports that some members of SLSI had authorised the release of some of the tainted consignment for sale. SLSI has rejected the allegation. The second round of tests have confirmed the findings of the first, that the consignments in question do hold alfatoxins.

Former Government Analyst E.G. Somapala, addressing a press conference organised by the Institute of Chemistry Ceylon (ICC), pointed out that the public should not be alarmed about purchasing coconut oil already on the market.

“All food items which are imported are tested by the Health Ministry. Locally produced coconut oil is also subjected to a range of tests by Public Health Inspectors and sometimes by the Government Analyst as well,” Somapala said.

The need for improving awareness regarding alfatoxins and their ill effects among the public was highlighted by ICC experts due to the prevalence of ‘home-made’ coconut oil being produced from copra in rural areas.

“Alfatoxins are a naturally occurring substance which is produced by a fungus that grows on copra when it is not properly dried. Good hygiene practices are vital in the post-harvest process to prevent the fungus from forming and alfatoxins being produced,” said K.R. Dayananda, a researcher into alfatoxins. Dayananda pointed out that once created, removal of alfatoxins is a difficult process and, therefore, awareness needs to be raised to prevent the fungus from forming during the copra stage of the coconut oil production process. 

The ICC warned that the practice of large scale re-using of coconut oil, had significant health related concerns and advised the public not to re-use heated coconut oil that is sometimes released to the market by large scale food producers.

Responding to a question, Sompala stated that laws are being drafted to regulate the correct disposal of used cooking oils, as some unscrupulous groups have begun to collect used cooking oils from restaurants and re-sell them to other establishments for quick profits. When coconut oil is repeatedly heated at high temperatures chemicals can be created that are harmful when ingested.