Since they help reduce chronic diseases and prevent foodborne illnesses, regulations are essential to public health. By encouraging job development and fair competition, they also strengthen the local food industry. Regulations protect the environment by promoting sustainable food systems and reducing food waste. Socially, they increase food security by safeguarding vulnerable groups and guaranteeing access to wholesome, safe food. They improve the standing of Sri Lankan food goods and boost industrial efficiency by simplifying food safety procedures. Adherence to these standards fosters a more ecologically sustainable food system and job possibilities, both of which support Sri Lanka's economic expansion. All things considered, laws improve the general welfare of the populace and support national economic expansion.
The Food (Labelling & Advertising) Regulations 2022, which went into force on January 1, 2025, placed new limitations on the marketing of food and beverages to children in Sri Lanka. The Food & Beverage Steering Committee of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce was instrumental in formulating these rules. The industry is required to make sure that, without previous Ministry of Health approval, F&B products are not pushed or advertised to children under the age of 12, nor should they feature children under the age of 12 in their ads. Additionally, new food labelling regulations that go into effect on July 1, 2025, will give consumers the knowledge they need to make educated food decisions by providing them with vital details like nutritional values and comprehensive ingredient lists.
Sri Lanka's food legislation will undergo significant changes beginning in June 2025, with the goal of promoting healthier eating habits and stricter product labelling. The Ministry of Health has pushed back the implementation date of the Food (Labelling and Advertising) laws, which will force food makers to give clear and accurate labelling, including nutritional information and ingredient lists. The Sri Lankan Government has implemented new limitations on marketing food and drinks to children beginning January 1, 2025, with the goal of reducing the promotion of unhealthy foods and encouraging healthier eating habits among youngsters. Existing food safety and quality rules, such as the Food (Iodisation of Salt) Rules 2023, will likely be revised or altered to reflect the new developments.
The new restrictions are anticipated to have a considerable influence on the food business, requiring manufacturers to reformulate products, update labelling, and change marketing techniques. This may increase expenses for food manufacturers, but the ultimate goal is to promote healthy eating habits and improve public health.
The Sri Lanka Government has issued new legislation for food labelling and advertising, which will take effect on January 1, 2025. The regulations seek to promote better eating habits and guarantee that food products are properly labelled. Key provisions include labelling with common names in bold type in all three languages (English, Sinhala, and Tamil), displaying the country of origin, importer's name, and address, labelling the date of manufacture and repackaging when food is imported in bulk and repackaged, and providing accurate nutrition information.
The implementation date was originally scheduled for January 1, 2024, but was moved to January 1, 2025, giving food makers and importers additional time to comply.
New rules aimed at modernising the food business in Sri Lanka are anticipated to raise consumer awareness, expand export prospects, and improve food safety. These rules will increase Sri Lankan food goods' competitiveness abroad, lower the danger of foodborne illnesses, and encourage consumer education regarding food safety. For small-scale producers, they can, however, also result in higher compliance expenses. Furthermore, a substantial investment in training and capacity building for food safety inspectors, laboratory staff, and food company operators will be necessary to comply with the laws. The new regulations are anticipated to open up new markets for Sri Lankan food products, especially in the European Union, notwithstanding these obstacles. Overall, it is anticipated that these modifications will boost the food industry's competitiveness and economic growth.
The Food & Beverage Steering Committee of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce was instrumental in creating these rules. Throughout a 10-year consultation process with the Ministry of Health, the committee contributed to discussions on worldwide regulatory norms, food science, nutrition, and legislative frameworks.
Key provisions of the regulations include:
- Prohibiting children under 12 from appearing in F&B advertisements.
- Banning advertising and promotion of F&B products targeting children under 12 without prior approval from the Ministry of Health.
The purpose of these changes is to fill in the gaps in the 2005 regulations, give consumers the information they need to make wise decisions, and bring Sri Lanka's regulatory structure into compliance with international norms.
(The author is assistant professor, Department of Foods and Nutrition- PG, Vellalar College for Women, Erode)