COPA tells MoH to test imported food for harmful substances

Colombo (News 1st); The Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) instructed the Ministry of Health to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the harmful substances contained in imported food items. Its chairman Prof. Tissa Vitarana has said that laboratory facilities for food testing should be improved and the laws pertaining to food security should be amended as well. The deteriorating situation of testing food items for harmful substances has worsened due to the lack of proper coordination between food testing laboratories. MP Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated at the committee meeting that the cosmetics imported to the country contain very harmful chemicals. The Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) also instructed the Ministry of Health to expedite the establishment of a proper regulatory system for the importation of cosmetics.