Health Ministry bans 'killer' soft drink

Nadira GUNATILLEKE

The Health Ministry yesterday temporarily banned the soft drink which is suspected to be contaminated and caused the death of a child from Polonnaruwa, a Ministry spokesman said.

The child's mother is also admitted to hospital in a critical condition.

According to the spokesman, the Health Ministry probed the incident on the direction of Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena yesterday. Investigators discovered that the expiry date of the drink bought by the child's father from Vavuniya had already lapsed.

The Ministry with the help of PHIs stopped the drink from being sold in Vavuniya.

The authorities also raided the factory, temporarily halted distribution of the product and took all drink bottles into custody.

The products are to be sent to the Government Analyst.

Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena has ordered health authorities to inspect all factories manufacturing soft drinks, a Health Ministry spokesman said.

The Health Ministry holds the authority to inspect the production process, storage facilities and distribution process of all soft drinks under the Food Control Act.

The Ministry also holds the authority to inspect the production process, packaging, storage, distribution and advertising of all food items in the country according to the same Act, he said.

Minister Sirisena ordered Health Ministry Secretary Dr Ravindra Ruberu to call Food Control Officers immediately and find out the action that can be taken in connection with food poisoning incidents.

PHIs will be deployed to inspect all soft drink manufacturing factories in the country.

They will also inspect the production process, storage facilities, distribution process and how shops store soft drinks before sale, he added.