Lunch packets sold in Colombo, a health risk

Disna Mudalige

Around 35 percent of lunch packets brought to Colombo from outside are unsuitable for human consumption, Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) Chief Medical Officer Dr Pradeep Kariyawasam told the Daily News yesterday.

He said that regular checking was conducted during the last two weeks by CMC officials and the errant suppliers were givenwith warning letters.

He said that over 80 percent of lunch packets sold by around 2 o'clock were unhealthy and unsuitable for consumption.

He said that the sellers of lunch packets from outside Colombo will hereafter have to carry a quality control certificate from the respective Public Health Inspector of the local area and should also be registered with the CMC. Dr Kariyawasam said that a special training programme will be held for lunch packet sellers next week to make them aware of the conditions laid down by the CMC to maintain health and sanitary standards in food.

He noted that lunch packets should be packed, transported and sold before the lapse of four hours after cooking. Evey packet should also carry the time of cooking, date and place.

Dr Kariyawasam also said that the lunch packet sellers will be given a card when they are registered and consumers can examine it when they buy lunch packets. He said that this system will be extended to cover snacks and other food items such as string hoppers, hoppers, pittu etc in the near future. Moreover these regulations will be extended gradually for mobile food outlets as well.

Dr Kariyawasam said that the CMC had filed about 250 Court cases with regard to food being sold in Colombo since the beginning of this year.