Semi-solid foods to carry colour codes next month
Following the mandatory colour codes on all soft drinks directed by the Health Ministry in 2016, all semi-solid foods such as yoghurt and ice cream are to carry similar codes with effect from next month, officials said.
Already firms like Ambewela discloses sugar content in set yoghurt stating that 14.4g of sugar is in 100g of its set yoghurt, which is 11.5g per 80g cup while Elephant House ice creams have also followed this rule.
The decision to implement a colour coding system symbols (traffic light system) for solid foods, semi-solid foods and liquid foods was taken after a special discussion with Health Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne held in May with the representatives of the World Health Organisation.
Already liquid foods contain this labeling. According to the colour codes for soft drinks with 100 mililitres (ml) containing sugar higher than 11grammes (g), the red colour should be used on the surface and if the sugar amount is between 2g and 11g, the yellow colour should be displayed. The soft drinks with the same 100 ml that contains less than 2g are required to display green colour.
It was discussed that in the display of the SOS – sugar, salt and fat -, a colour symbol should be displayed on the main panel of the food label. They said that a gazette notification, with effect from September 1 is to be issued in this regard.
The purpose of the decision, as done earlier with the soft drinks, is to educate the public and then reduce the sugar amount in people to control non-communicable diseases. Sri Lanka is undergoing a nutritional range of unhealthy items of food, transition with under nutrition as especially high in salt, sugar, and oil. Studies have also shown that one in five adults have either diabetes or pre-diabetes and that about 30 per cent of women above 30 years of age and 19 per cent of men have higher Body Mass Index (BMI).