The Sri Lankan government has introduced new restrictions on marketing food and beverages (F&B) to children, effective January 1, 2025, under the Food (Labelling & Advertising) Regulations 2022.
The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, through its Food & Beverage Steering Committee, played a significant role in shaping these regulations. Over a decade-long consultation process with the Ministry of Health, the committee provided inputs on food science, nutrition, international regulatory practices, and legal 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.
Additionally, new food labelling requirements, effective July 1, 2025, will mandate detailed information on nutritional values and ingredient lists. These updates aim to empower consumers with the knowledge to make informed choices and align Sri Lanka’s regulatory framework with international standards, addressing gaps in the 2005 regulations.
Buwanekabahu Perera, CEO of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, lauded the Ministry of Health for modernising the food regulatory framework after two decades. However, he acknowledged the challenges businesses, from SMEs to large-scale operators, will face during the transition.
“Balancing consumer protection with the continued availability of packaged food and preserving longstanding brand equity is crucial. A corrective and collaborative approach to implementing these regulations will ensure a smooth transition,” he stated.
This move signifies a step forward in safeguarding children’s health while aligning the country’s food industry with global best practices.
