Ceylon Chamber calls for balance of new regulation

Friday, 3 January 2025 00:42 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce yesterday called for a proper balance of regulations in response to the landmark new law concerning the food and beverage industry.

The Government has announced new restrictions on marketing food and beverages to children, effective 1 January 2025, under the Food (Labelling and Advertising) Regulations 2022.

The Ceylon Chamber’s Food and Beverage Steering Committee was a key partner in shaping these regulations by providing inputs on food science, nutrition, international regulatory practices, and legal frameworks during an over decade-long consultation process with the Health Ministry.

Under the new rules, the industry must ensure that children under 12 are not featured in advertisements for F&B products. Further, the industry must ensure that F&B products are not advertised or promoted to children below 12 years without prior approval from the Ministry of Health.

Additionally, updated food labelling requirements, effective 1 July 2025, will empower consumers with essential information, including nutritional values and detailed ingredient lists, to make informed food choices. These updates address gaps in the regulations established in 2005 and align the framework with international standards.

Ceylon Chamber CEO Buwanekabahu Perera in a statement said: “We commend the Ministry of Health for modernising Sri Lanka’s food regulatory framework after 20 years. Transitioning entrenched industry practices will be challenging for businesses, from SMEs to large-scale operators. However, it is vital to balance consumer protection with the continued availability of packaged food, and preserving longstanding brand equity. A corrective and collaborative approach to implementing these regulations will be important to ensure a smooth transition.”