Ind-Expo assists to meet new food hygiene standards

Ramani KANGARAARACHCHI

The New Food Hygiene Regulations will be made mandatory by the Department of Health Services with effect from November 1,2012. This was revealed at a seminar organized on 'New Food Hygiene Regulations' by Ind- Expo Certification Ltd to educate the food industry, including hoteliers, food packaging industry and other stakeholders. It was held recently at the Galle Face Hotel, Colombo 3.

Ind-Expo Certification Limited is a public limited liability certification and training organization established by Ceylon National Chamber of Industries and National Chamber of Exporters of Sri Lanka with the support of United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) under its project of 'Strengthening International Certification Capacity in Sri Lanka ' with the assistance of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce.

This programme was conducted by three eminent resource persons in the public sector. The seminar started with the introduction to the Food Act No 26 of 1980 and its regulations. Emphasis was laid on new food hygiene regulations. Participants were also briefed on a few other regulations such as as packaging materials and articles, labeling, bread standards, melamine in milk products, formaldehyde in fish, shelf life of imported food products & food coloring substances. The seminar concluded with a lively and informative panel discussion. Hoteliers, senior and middle managers, executives, auditors, technical experts food industry participated in this seminar.

The food hygiene regulations mainly focuses on the location, hygienic conditions of the food processing and handling areas, equipment and utensils, quality of the water used, cleaning and disinfection, material used for wrapping and packaging and above all personal hygiene of food handlers. During the seminar professionals suggested new proposals to further improvement of new food hygiene regulations.

Indexpo has planned a few training progarmmes in different parts of the country to educate the small, medium enterprises, Hoteliers on the new food hygiene regulations. Any interested organization or individual can apply for participating in the future seminar by sending an email to [email protected]

"Crowns for food hygiene scheme" is a inspection & grading scheme for hotels and restaurants in Sri Lanka which is operated by Indexpo (www.crowns.lk) with the support of Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA). Awareness on the food regulations would help the food industry and hotels to minimize conflicts between different stakeholders. Moreover adhering to the new food hygiene regulations in minimizing the risk for exports and eliminates barriers to meet the international standards.

Indexpo certifies companies for Management Systems (www.indexpo.lk) such as ISO 22000 Food Safety Management Systems, ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems, ISO 14001 Environment Management Systems, OHSAS 18001 Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems

Indexpo is the only registered centre for Chartered Institute of Environmental and Health in United Kingdom (CIEH, UK). Internationally recognized training programmes are delivered by Indexpo in various disciplines namely food safety, environmental management and occupational and safety sector. CIIEH qualification is internationally recognized and Indexpo offers chartered qualification of above sectors.