Delay in Enforcing Food Regulations Puts Public Health in Danger — Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa
Across the country, many hospital cafeterias and premises have ironically become breeding grounds for non-communicable diseases (NCDs), said Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa, President of the Association of Medical Professionals for Civil Rights.
He noted that even within national hospitals — which run programs to prevent diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol — cafeterias are selling more and more food and drinks high in sugar, salt, fat, and unhealthy calories.
Dr. Sanjeewa criticized the Ministry of Health’s decision to postpone until next year the implementation of several crucial gazette notifications (Nos. 2443/6, 7, 8, and 9 of 2022/2023) that limit harmful ingredients in food and restrict misleading advertising. He called this delay “regrettable,” adding that the ministry has already postponed these regulations multiple times in the past, often due to pressure from corporations.
He stressed that limiting sugar, salt, and fat in food is key to preventing NCDs and countering the false perceptions created by aggressive food marketing campaigns. Therefore, the government should immediately enforce these regulations, he urged.
Finally, Dr. Sanjeewa emphasized that a proper regulatory mechanism must also be introduced to monitor and maintain the quality of food sold in hospital cafeterias, ensuring they meet health standards and truly support public well-being rather than undermine it.
Gazettes related to the situation
