April 13, Colombo (LNW): Health authorities have launched widespread legal proceedings against nearly 600 retailers across Sri Lanka following a nationwide inspection campaign targeting food safety violations during the recent festive period.
The operations, led by the island’s Public Health Inspectors, were conducted between 23 March and early April, focusing on shops and food outlets suspected of breaching public health regulations.
According to Chamil Muthukuda, Secretary of the Public Health Inspectors’ Union, a total of 591 establishments were found to be in contravention of the Food Act, prompting immediate legal action.
These offences ranged from the sale of expired and mislabelled goods to poor hygiene practices and unsafe food storage.
The extensive campaign covered over 4,700 retail outlets, with officers deployed across urban and rural areas to ensure compliance with national food safety standards.
Muthukuda noted that whilst the majority of businesses operated responsibly, a significant number were found to be endangering public health through negligence or deliberate malpractice.
Meanwhile, the Health Ministry has urged consumers to remain vigilant when purchasing food and to report any suspicious products or unhygienic practices to local authorities. Officials are also encouraging businesses to undergo training and certification to ensure that their operations align with updated food safety protocols.
