CAA seals four Asriel Marketing warehouses in Nugegoda over alleged expired food repacking and supplies to hotels and markets.
The CAA has sealed four Asriel Marketing warehouses in Nugegoda over allegations of repackaging expired food and supplying unsafe products to hotels and markets.
The Consumer Affairs Authority has uncovered what officials describe as a large-scale food racket operated by a leading supply company based in Nugegoda.
The company is alleged to have supplied food items in bulk to major super hotels, well-known institutions, and public marketplaces across the island.
On June 03, authorities completely sealed four warehouses belonging to Asriel Marketing (Pvt) Ltd, located inside a large warehouse complex on Pagoda Road, Nugegoda.
The action was taken over allegations that the company had repackaged and distributed food items without proper manufacturing and expiry date labels, as well as items that had already expired.
The Consumer Affairs Authority has prepared the necessary arrangements to file legal action in court today, June 05, against the relevant business entity and those responsible for the alleged racket.
The raid followed a lengthy investigation conducted by officials of the Consumer Affairs Authority.
Information uncovered during the operation has raised serious concerns over food safety standards in the country.
According to officials, many of the seized goods did not contain proper information identifying who had imported them.
Investigators also found what they described as an organized process of removing essential details such as manufacturing dates and expiry dates from original packaging.
Those goods were then allegedly repacked into new or misleading packaging before being prepared for distribution.
Officials also took custody of a large stock of expired food items that had reportedly been relabeled and made ready for supply to major hotels and marketplaces.
Among the items found inside the four sealed warehouses were dairy products including cheese and butter, chocolate and cocoa powder, canned fruits and vegetables, various types of pasta, meat items, and many other ingredients commonly used in bakery production.
The discovery has created alarm because many of these products were reportedly intended for use by major hotels, bakeries, and food outlets serving both local consumers and foreign tourists.
Behind the company is prominent businessman Shiran Peiris, who serves as Chairman of Asriel Marketing.
A further point drawing public attention is that the company had recently donated Rs. 500,000 to the government’s “Rebuilding Sri Lanka” fund, established to support people affected by Cyclone Dita.
Just days earlier, media reports highlighted Chairman Shiran Peiris publicly handing over the cheque for Rs. 500,000 to Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake at the Presidential Secretariat.
Critics have now questioned the contrast between that public donation and the allegations surrounding the company’s food supply operations.
They argue that while the chairman appeared publicly as a charitable businessman supporting relief efforts, the company is now accused of supplying expired and improperly labeled food items to hotels and consumers.
Authorities are taking strict legal action under the Consumer Affairs Authority Act, while the relevant warehouse premises remain closed.
Meanwhile, the Consumer Affairs Authority and health authorities have urged the general public, large-scale food production institutions, and especially hotel owners to be extremely cautious when purchasing food items.
They have advised buyers to carefully check labels, manufacturing dates, expiry dates, and correct importer details when purchasing food items either wholesale or retail.
SOURCE :- HARIDESHAYA.LK
