Laws to regulate sugar content in instant drinks

The Health Ministry will introduce laws to limit the sugar content in soft drinks, beverages and sweetened milk because these instant drinks carry an excessive amount of sugar and pose many health hazards, a health ministry spokesman said.

Ministry spokesman Dharma Wanninayaka said Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena had instructed Ministry

The by the Family Health Bureau has found that the number of diabetic patients had increased from 500 to 1,000

Secretary Dr. Nihal Jayatilaka to take immediate action because diabetes and cardio vascular diseases were affecting even school children.

The study conducted by the Family Health Bureau has found that the number of diabetic patients admitted to hospitals had increased from 500 to 1,000 in 2002 and that three patients died each day of diabetics. “The study further reveals that each packet of soft drinks, milk or beverages carries 18 per cent of sug

ar while the maximum approved was five per cent resulting in a sharp increase in diabetes and cardio vascular diseases among school children.

Mr. Wanninayaka said the minister had also instructed Dr. Jayatilkaka to conduct a survey on the sale of soft drinks in other countries because the soft drinks industry had been strictly regulated in Singapore, Japan, Malaysia and South Korea.