Health Ministry warns public

Nadira GUNATILLEKE

The Health Ministry warned the public about a capsule shaped container which contains a powder that intoxicates schoolchildren. SVS - Snuff is this product which is imported from India illegally and sold all over the country, a Health Ministry spokesman said.

According to the spokesman, schoolchildren buy this product and place it under their tongue to get themselves intoxicated.

The container does not indicate the formula or ingredients of this `product' which has not been identified either as a food or a drug. This 'product' can be harmful to the health of schoolchildren.Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena has already ordered that an immediate investigation be conducted on this 'product' and find out whether it is a food variety or a drug. The Health Ministry will take legal action against importers of this `product' under the relevant Acts such as the Food Act based on the report of the Government Analyst, he said. Countrywide raids will be conducted to detect this product and the shops which sell this product to schoolchildren, he added.