By: Isuru Parakrama
October 13, Colombo (LNW): The Ministry of Environment has successfully blocked the release of a large stock of canned fish contaminated with arsenic, a dangerous heavy metal, from entering the Sri Lankan market.
The contaminated fish, valued at US$ 215,000, was imported in 2021 but was withheld from distribution after authorities found arsenic levels exceeding the permissible limit.
According to Prabhath Chandrakeerthi, Secretary to the Environment Ministry, the arsenic concentration in the stock was measured at 1.3 milligrammes per kilogramme, surpassing Sri Lanka’s legal limit of one milligramme per kilogramme.
Despite suggestions to use the fish for alternative purposes such as composting or animal feed, Chandrakeerthi ordered the contaminated shipment to be repatriated, stating, “We cannot allow such contaminated canned fish to be used for animal feed or manure.”
The decision to reject the shipment reflects the country’s stringent regulations on heavy metal contamination in food, especially due to the prevalence of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) in Sri Lanka, often linked to long-term exposure to harmful metals.
An official from the Food Control and Administration Unit of the Health Ministry, speaking anonymously, explained that arsenic limits differ between countries, with some allowing as much as five milligrammes per kilogramme in food products.
However, Sri Lanka’s limit remains at one milligramme per kilogramme, recognising the nation’s vulnerability to kidney disease caused by heavy metals.
