Food quality

The Public Health Inspectors' Union of Sri Lanka has warned the public about purchasing chilli powder, sugar, and other food items from unregistered markets and irregular vendors. The Union has highlighted that vendors may sell goods of inferior quality to maximize profits in the current economic climate.

 

 

According to the Union's Treasurer, W.D. Roshan Kumara, there have been reports of adulteration in chilli powder, where substances like wheat flour, food colourings, and other ingredients are added. Public Health Inspectors have taken legal action against businesses involved in such practices, and court judgments have been issued against them.

 

 

Kumara further stated that cases are under investigation, and around 30 cases have been filed against specific vendors. Instances have also been reported where food colourings were added to various types of tomato sauces, and some tomato sauces were found to contain no actual tomatoes. The Union advises the public to avoid using brightly coloured and granular tomato sauces.

 

 

The Union has identified specific types of chilli powder, sugar, and tomato sauce of inferior quality in the market, which differ in colour and taste from registered, high-quality food items. Kumara highlighted that it has become common for white sugar to be artificially coloured with food dyes and sold as red sugar, allowing vendors to make significant profits.

 

 

Given these concerns, the Public Health Inspectors' Union urges the public to exercise caution and purchase food items from reputable sources to ensure the safety and quality of the products they consume.