By Roy Denish.
Sri Lanka is preparing an unpackaged coconut oil ban requiring commercially sold oil to be packaged and carry essential product information.
Sri Lanka’s Consumer Affairs Authority is preparing to prohibit the sale of unpackaged coconut oil in local markets as part of efforts to combat adulteration and strengthen consumer protection.
CAA Acting Director General Samantha Karunasena told a subcommittee of the Parliamentary Committee on Public Enterprises that a Gazette notification setting out the proposed regulations had already been drafted and would be issued shortly.
Under the proposed rules, coconut oil sold commercially would have to be pre-packaged rather than sold loose.
Packaging would also be required to carry essential consumer information, including the product name, net weight, expiry date, batch number and details of the manufacturer.
The CAA is working with the Sri Lanka Standards Institution to ensure coconut oil available in the local market complies with applicable quality standards.
The proposed measures are aimed at improving traceability and making it easier for regulators and consumers to identify the source and quality of coconut oil sold commercially.
