Sri Lanka has unveiled its first National Food Safety Policy, a landmark framework developed with support from the FAO and the European Union to strengthen food safety governance, safeguard public health, and boost confidence in the country’s agrifood systems. 

The policy, launched under the leadership of the Ministry of Health, sets out a coordinated, risk‑based approach to food safety across the entire food chain, from production to consumption, marking a major milestone in Sri Lanka’s efforts to modernize its food control system. 

Although Sri Lanka has an established legal framework governing food safety, the country previously lacked an overarching national policy to guide and coordinate food safety efforts across institutions and sectors. The new policy addresses this gap by providing strategic direction for strengthening governance, enhancing surveillance systems, improving risk assessment and communication, building laboratory capacity, strengthening food safety legislation, and promoting greater awareness among producers, food businesses and consumers.

The policy also seeks to address emerging food safety challenges associated with changing food production systems, expanding domestic and international food trade, evolving consumer preferences, and increasingly complex food supply chains. It promotes a preventive, risk-based approach to food safety while strengthening coordination among stakeholders at national, provincial and local levels.

Dr. Anil Jasinghe, Secretary of the Ministry of Health, welcomed the adoption of the policy as a significant step towards strengthening Sri Lanka’s food safety system. “The National Food Safety Policy marks a significant milestone in Sri Lanka’s efforts to strengthen public health and build greater confidence in our food systems. By establishing a clear national framework that promotes prevention, scientific risk management and stronger coordination across sectors, we are laying the foundation for safer food for every citizen while enhancing the competitiveness of Sri Lanka’s agrifood sector. We appreciate the technical support provided by FAO and the European Union through the BESPA programme in helping us develop this important national policy.”

Dr. Johann Hesse, Head of Cooperation, Delegation of the European Union to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, highlighted the importance of strong food safety systems for public health and sustainable economic development. “Food safety is essential not only for protecting the health and well-being of consumers, but also for building resilient food systems, strengthening market confidence and creating new economic opportunities. Through the European Union-funded BESPA programme, we are pleased to support Sri Lanka in establishing its first National Food Safety Policy, which provides a strong foundation for modern, risk-based food safety governance. We are hopeful of seeing this policy translate into a robust implementation . This milestone reflects our continued partnership with Sri Lanka in promoting sustainable agrifood systems that benefit producers, businesses and consumers alike.”

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), through the European Union-funded Mainstreaming Standards-Based Best Practices for Agri-Food Sector Development (BESPA) programme, has supported the Ministry of Health and Mass Media since the programme’s inception in developing the National Food Safety Policy. Through the programme, FAO provided national and international technical expertise to develop the initial draft of the policy and continued to support its refinement through multiple rounds of technical review and stakeholder consultations.

The operationalization of the National Food Safety Policy will be supported by the proposed updated Food Act, which will provide the legislative framework for strengthening food safety control in Sri Lanka. In July 2026, FAO supported a national stakeholder consultation, chaired by the Director General of Health Services, to review the latest draft of the proposed Act and obtain final technical inputs from key stakeholders. 

Mr. Vimlendra Sharan, FAO Representative for Sri Lanka and the Maldives, said the policy reflects the importance of coordinated action to strengthen food safety across the agrifood system. “Food safety is fundamental to protecting public health while building resilient and sustainable agrifood systems. This landmark policy provides Sri Lanka with a strategic roadmap to strengthen food safety governance, improve coordination across sectors, and promote preventive, science-based approaches that benefit consumers, producers and the country’s economy. FAO is proud to have supported the Government of Sri Lanka, with funding from the European Union through the BESPA programme, in achieving this important milestone.”

The National Food Safety Policy outlines six strategic priority areas that will guide implementation. These include strengthening food safety governance and institutional coordination; improving food safety control throughout the food chain; enhancing legislation, standards and regulatory systems; strengthening surveillance, laboratories and risk analysis; promoting communication, education and capacity development; and establishing robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to support effective implementation.

By strengthening food safety systems, the policy is expected to reduce foodborne illnesses, improve consumer confidence, facilitate international trade, enhance nutrition outcomes, reduce food losses, support tourism, and strengthen the competitiveness of Sri Lanka’s food and agriculture sectors.

FAO remains committed to supporting the Government of Sri Lanka in implementing the National Food Safety Policy and strengthening food safety systems through the European Union-funded BESPA programme as part of broader efforts to promote safer, healthier and more resilient agrifood systems that contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. (Newswire)

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A Sri Lankan health delegation has returned from a study visit to India aimed at strengthening the country’s food safety framework, enhancing regulatory oversight, and better protecting consumers.

From July 27 to 31, 2026, officials from the Ministry of Health — including representatives of the Directorate of Environment, Occupational Health and Food Safety, the Food Control Administration Unit (FCAU), and the Medical Research Institute (MRI) — visited the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) in New Delhi. The technical exchange was supported by the Ministry of Health, the World Health Organization (WHO), and FSSAI.

Over five days, participants engaged with Indian counterparts to understand how food safety systems are governed, regulated, and monitored. The programme provided exposure to India’s approaches, including risk‑based inspections, surveillance systems, digital licensing and compliance platforms, laboratory networks, and food labelling oversight.

Delegates also examined how different sectors — from regulatory authorities and laboratories to customs and trade agencies — collaborate to support food safety. They were familiarized with India’s use of digital technologies to improve efficiency, transparency, and evidence‑informed decision‑making, as well as mechanisms for monitoring food advertising and labelling, including challenges linked to online food marketing.

The exchange comes as Sri Lanka works to modernize food safety governance. Insights from the visit will inform ongoing efforts to establish a Food Safety Bureau, strengthen food labelling oversight, and advance priorities under the International Health Regulations (2005), the Joint External Evaluation (JEE), and the National Action Plan for Health Security (NAPHS).

WHO Representative to Sri Lanka Dr. Rajesh Sambhajirao Pandav said: “Strengthening food safety requires strong systems, effective regulation and continuous learning. Opportunities for technical exchange such as this allow countries to learn from one another’s experiences and identify practical approaches that can be adapted to national contexts.”

He added that as food systems evolve, partnerships and knowledge exchange remain vital tools for building stronger, more resilient food safety systems that protect health and support consumer confidence. (Newswire)

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Legal action has been taken against more than 400 traders across Sri Lanka following nationwide raids carried out during the Sinhala and Tamil New Year period, the Public Health Inspectors’ Union announced.

Union General Secretary Chamil Muthukuda said nearly 2,000 raids were conducted between 1 and 12 April, during which over 12,000 shops were inspected.

He further stated that traders were charged for offences such as selling food in unhygienic conditions and distributing expired products.

Muthukuda further noted that similar inspections are scheduled to take place during the upcoming Vesak and Poson festivals, as part of continued efforts to safeguard public health. (Newswire/ Image- Divaina)

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