Minister of Trade Wasantha Samarasinghe has announced that strict legal action will be taken from April 01, 2027, against individuals involved in selling fruits treated with unsafe or harmful chemicals.

According to the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA), the Minister made the announcement in line with a new national consumer protection initiative titled “Poison-Free Fruits for Children,” launched on Thursday (01), to strengthen food safety and consumer confidence.

Under the programme, fruit retailers and wholesale distributors across the country will be registered and educated on safer practices covering the entire supply chain, from harvesting and ripening to transportation and retail sales.

The initiative also aims to identify businesses selling fruits without unsafe chemical treatment and introduce a special certification mechanism to help consumers recognise such vendors.

Additionally, fruit-selling locations across the country will be mapped, while a QR-based system will be developed to enable consumers to easily identify outlets selling safer fruits.

The CAA emphasised that the programme goes beyond inspections and legal enforcement, focusing on establishing a safer and more responsible fruit supply chain involving farmers, distributors, traders and consumers.

The Authority further highlighted the importance of considering food safety, rather than merely appearance and price, when purchasing fruits, particularly those intended for children.

It called for the cooperation of all stakeholders to ensure the successful implementation of the initiative and safeguard the health and safety of consumers. (Newswire)

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A new insurance scheme for fruit cultivation has been introduced by the Agricultural and Agrarian Insurance Board to safeguard farmers against risks affecting their crops.

The programme covers pineapple, papaya, banana and other crops recommended by the Department of Agriculture. 

Farmers can obtain coverage by paying only about 7% of the basic insured amount as a premium, with protection extended against natural disasters, diseases, pests, insect damage, and harm caused by wild elephants.

In the event of damage, compensation ranging from Rs. 300,000 to Rs. 400,000 per acre will be provided. 

According to the Agricultural and Agrarian Insurance Board, the primary aim of the scheme is to help farmers remain engaged in cultivation by effectively managing risk. (Newswire)

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