Unhealthy food packagings banned from today

Importing, transporting, storing, packing, distributing and selling food packed in packages that cause health problems to the human body will be banned from today.

Action will be taken against all persons who do so under Article 32 of the Food Act Number 26 of 1980 under the direction of Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena.

The gazette notification is to be released today, a Health Ministry spokesman said.

According to the spokesman under the new rules and regulation no person can import, transport, store, pack, distribute or sell food items in a manner that cause health problems to human beings. Food cannot be imported, stored, distributed or sold in a manner that reduces its organo leptic characteristics, quality and nutritious level, the food item should not contain non edible items. Food packagings used previously cannot be used.

Recycled plastic should not be used to make food packaging. Only recycled water bottles over 18 litres can be recycled and used. Instant food items should not touch labels, the package etc. Packaging used to store other food items should not be used to prepare, store or distribute rice, he said.

PHIs have been deployed by the Ministry to inspect food in super markets from today.

The Ministry took this decision after considering various public complaints received in connection with food available at super markets, he added.