Fruit juice outlets under the microscope

Rasika SOMARATHNA

The Health Ministry yesterday said it will step up inspections of outlets and kiosks selling fresh fruit juices and salads to ensure they conform to established food safety practices.

The move comes in the wake of a directive by Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena to the Occupational and Environmental Health Unit of his ministry to step up inspection of such outlets.

A ministry spokesman said officials were concerned about the quality and safety of juices and salads sold at wayside food outlets. He said the ministry has received a number of complaints in the recent past regarding the quality of fruit based juices and salads sold at some of these locations.

The major issues highlighted in the complaints are the use of rotten and contaminated fruit to make juices and salads, the quality of water and other artificial sweeteners and colourings used in the process and the hygienic status of workers and prevailing conditions at these outlets.

The spokesman said if the above are proved correct, it was a direct violation of the Food Act and authorities will take appropriate action.

Another aim of this stepped up vigilance is to make the owners of these outlets aware of the established food safety practices and guide them on the correct lines, he added.