CCS to be introduced to solid and semi solid foods from 1st June

The objective of labeling with the sugar and salt content is to give an opportunity to the consumer to make a choice on the food item

The Colour Code System (CCS) introduced for soft and fizzy drinks will also be applied to all solid and semi solid foods in the market effective from June 1st, in order to further control the fast spreading Non Communicable Diseases (NCDS), Health and Indigenous Medicine Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne said yesterday.

The Health Ministry has issued orders to all solid, semi solid and fruit drink producers to display the content of sugar and salt on the lid or cover or wrapper in a colour code for easy identification of sugar and salt content in the food item, Minister Senaratne said.

We have already introduced a sugar tax on soft drinks but it is not sufficient to control NCDS. Minister Senaratne’s target is to control the use of sugar and salt. The Health Ministry has instructed food producers, processors and distributors to make sure to print the percentage of sugar and salt on the cover of their products in accordance to the Food

Act in a bid to minimize incidences of noncommunicable diseases.

A circular issued by Director General Health Services (DGHS), Dr. Anil Jasinghe said that all those involved in the food marketing business must adhere to the regulations of the Food Act and should not add sugar and salt above the stipulated percentage, to foods they market.

“The objective of labelling with the sugar and salt content is to give an opportunity to the consumer to make a choice on the food item,” Dr. Senaratne stressed.

Accordingly, those who produce and market confectioneries, sweetmeats, cakes, short eats and all other food items in the market, sold in hotels, eateries, restaurants and tea shops are required to indicate the content of salt and sugar in a colour code certified in an authorized laboratory from June 1st.

The colour code for solid and semi solid foods was scheduled to be introduced in April 2018, but on the request of bakery and confectionery industry owners, the Health Ministry gave them a grace period which expired on July 31st.