CAA to be firm on proper food product labelling
Sri Lanka’s food and beverage companies have been ordered to clearly display ingredients of their products in bold letters enabling consumers to take a decision before buying food items, officials said.
The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) has already issued a circular to these companies giving guidelines on labelling as some of these firms have failed to clearly display ingredients of their products with a view to escaping from health and safety aspects, Chairman of CAA Rumy Marzook told the Business Times.
Ironically the Business Times together with its polls partner – Research Consultancy Bureau (RCB) undertook a survey this week on issues relating to local and imported food. In this survey, one of the questions asked was to ascertain the level public awareness about what goes into the food they consume. The results, on Page 1 and on this page, showed that a majority of the respondents were unaware of the ingredients in food.
Mr. Marzook noted that the authority is planning to strengthen labelling laws and regulate advertising of food products to protect consumers from unscrupulous companies.
There are no restrictions for labeling of products apart from cigarettes although consumers are paying for packaging as well, he added.
The CAA has embarked on a programme to educate consumers on their rights such as, the right to safety of the consumer, the right to be informed and protected against dishonest or misleading advertising or labeling, he revealed.
The consumer has a right to know about any product which is harmful, so that he can desist from buying it, he said.
Many substandard, food items are being sold in the local market with the intention of earning quick money, he said, adding that labelling laws should be strengthened to tackle this issue.
Mr. Marzook disclosed that a separate unit at the CAA has been entrusted with the task of creating awareness on consumers concerning available products and services being marketed and sold.
Officials of this unit visit schools one or two days per week to educate children, parents and teachers and impart knowledge and skills needed to make informed, confident choices about goods and services, while being aware of basic consumer rights and responsibilities and how to act on them, he added.
Chandrika Thilakaratne, Director – Consumer Affairs and Information pointed out that food can just as easily kill as it keeps people alive, as excessive use of pesticides, unregulated street food and lack of awareness about food safety cause thousands of people to fall ill.
“Every day we are eating dangerous foods, which are triggering deadly diseases,” she said adding that chemicals such as carbide is being used to ripe fruits.
A common practice among food sellers is to spray fish, fruits and vegetables with chemical preservatives including carbide or formalin – a commercial solution of formaldehyde and water – to boost food’s lifespan and appearance.
Such practices can be prevented by creating awareness and advising consumers not to buy such food items, she said.
One of the main functions of the CAA is to promote consumer education on health, safety, security, consumer rights and responsibilities.
Several such programmes are conducted under this service. But recent studies have shown that Sri Lankan consumer protection activism remains weak largely because of a lack of awareness and resolve, leaving consumers vulnerable to the lobbying power of big business and utilities and global trading agreements, she added.
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