As the world marks World Food Safety Day on June 7 under the theme “Food Safety: The Work of Science”, experts are sounding the alarm over a dangerous gap in Sri Lanka’s food security strategy. Despite food being one of the most basic human needs and food security a fundamental human right, Sri Lanka still lacks a comprehensive national food safety policy, leaving millions exposed to health risks and misinformation.
Speaking to BBC Sinhala, Professor Eresha Mendis, a leading academic from the Department of Food Science and Technology at the University of Peradeniya, warned that Sri Lanka is at a critical turning point in safeguarding public health through better food systems. She emphasized that food safety the process of growing, producing, processing, transporting, and consuming food safely must be treated as a science-led discipline, not just a bureaucratic checklist.
According to Professor Mendis, public awareness remains dangerously low, and the solution starts at the root with children in schools. “We need to teach kids from a young age what safe food means. If a fruit has fallen to the ground or if roadside food is dyed unnaturally, children should understand whether or not it’s safe to eat it. That’s food literacy,” she explained.
However, this food literacy is barely present even among adults, let alone in the school curriculum. “Very few students in Sri Lanka study food science and technology. Even at the university level, the number of programs is extremely limited,” Mendis said, calling on the government to embed food safety into school education policies.
Sri Lanka’s regulatory framework is also woefully inadequate, the professor noted. With very few food safety laboratories in the country and a limited number of trained personnel, authorities are ill-equipped to respond to adulterated or contaminated food a growing problem made worse by modern food manipulation techniques. “Old food is being chemically treated to appear fresh. This is food adulteration. But we don’t have the legal infrastructure to stop it effectively.”
In many foreign countries, food safety is promoted through scientific campaigns and advertising, but in Sri Lanka, public perception is still guided by myths and hearsay. “Some believe all preservatives are harmful. Others think locally grown food is automatically safe. These misconceptions can lead to food aversion, limited diets, and nutritional deficiencies especially in children and pregnant women,” Mendis warned.
Dr. Piyawi Wijewardena, a researcher in social sciences, added another layer to the discussion by highlighting the dangers of pesticides and agrochemicals. “We must inspect imported fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides regularly. If we’re importing low-quality chemicals to cut costs, we’re jeopardizing the quality of our food and risking long-term harm,” he cautioned.
Both experts agree that imported food items, including staples like rice, also require more rigorous oversight to ensure they meet safety standards.
The consequences of poor food safety, according to Mendis, are not just medical they are economic. “Diseases like cancer, kidney failure, and diabetes are tied to long-term consumption of unsafe food. Treating these illnesses places a massive financial burden on families and the national health system. It’s a drain on national productivity.”
She cited repeated reports of common food adulteration in Sri Lanka: chili powder mixed with brick dust, chemically ripened fruits, and contaminated spices. “These aren’t rare cases. They’re everywhere. And the Ministry of Health spends millions annually treating illnesses caused by this kind of food,” Mendis said, urging the public to be vigilant and mindful when purchasing food.
Perhaps the most disturbing revelation came at the end of the discussion: Sri Lanka still has no overarching national food safety policy. “In 2019, I was invited by the Ministry of Health to help draft a national food safety framework. But to this day, we haven’t been able to finalize or implement it,” Mendis admitted.
She further revealed that current food safety efforts are largely geared toward export markets, leaving local consumers underprotected. Without proper national guidelines and enforcement, Sri Lanka remains vulnerable to a silent food crisis one that could worsen health outcomes, deepen misinformation, and raise economic costs in the long run.
As the world celebrates food safety, Sri Lanka must confront a harsh truth: science-backed food security cannot wait.
