Swoop on unhygienic food outlets yield Rs 21 m

Nadira Gunatilleke

Laboratory tests by the Health Ministry Food Control Department last year found that 3,770 food outlets in the country sell unhygienic food to the public, a Health Ministry spokesman said. The ministry filed cases against 6,800 unhygienic food outlets and collected fines totaling Rs 21 million, a spokesman said.

He said Rs 21 million was handed over to Local Government institutions under Food Act No 26 of 1980.

“The health authorities inspected over 15,000 food outlets countrywide last year and tested food in 12,780 suspected food outlets.

It is planned to inspect over 40,000 food outlets in the country this year. Inspections will also be carried out on public complaints. The health authorities receive complaints from the public often on unhygienic food sold to them by food outlets,” the spokesman said.

Food outlets are required to strictly follow rules and regulations in Food Act No 26 of 1980.Violation of the Act is a punishable offence, he said.