New rules for food imports

The Ministry of Health has announced new regulations governing food imports.

Accordingly, food importers must ensure that imports reach the country prior to the expiration of a minimum of 60% of time before the expiry date.

The new regulations issued under the Food Act of 1980 will become effective from 1 August.

Minister of Health Maithripala Sirisena instructed officials to strictly adhere to the new regulations as it was revealed that certain food items reach Colombo port only a few days before the expiry date and within a few days it become unfit for human consumption, but still the importers market them through unscrupulous means.

A survey conducted by the Food Consultative Committee of the Health Ministry has found that many traders sell food items even after the expiry date.