New rules for food imports

Wednesday, 25 May 2011 00:47 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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.