October 11, Colombo (LNW): The All Ceylon Traditional Coconut Oil Producers’ Association (ACTCOPA) has issued a warning to the public, urging vigilance regarding the sale of toxic coconut oil being sold loose in the market. The association has advised consumers to purchase only branded coconut oil that includes a label clearly identifying the manufacturer.
Addressing a media conference in Colombo on Monday (7), ACTCOPA convenor Buddhika de Silva cautioned consumers about misleading statements concerning the quality of imported coconut oil. He criticized a senior Public Health Inspector for wrongly claiming that imported coconut oil is of high quality and thoroughly tested. Silva argued that this statement misleads the public, pointing out that imported coconut oil often lacks proper scientific testing and may contain harmful substances.
Silva highlighted that artificially refined, used coconut oil contains heavy metals and can contribute to the development of non-communicable diseases. He questioned how imported coconut oil could be deemed high quality without comprehensive scientific verification.
Thushara Wijesinghe and S.K.B. Jayaweera, both representing ACTCOPA, also participated in the media briefing. They echoed Silva’s concerns, calling for greater scrutiny and consumer awareness to avoid health risks posed by poor-quality coconut oil.
