The authorities should urgently pay attention to long overdue requests for a system for consumers to distinguish chemically refined oil, which is often sold as coconut oil, as more and more such oil products are entering the local market, local coconut oil manufacturers urged.

Pointing out that millions of kilograms of such oil had entered the local market by the end of August of this year, they said that the requests made since 2019 seeking a system to properly label them have not been fulfilled. The All Ceylon Traditional Coconut Oil Manufacturers’ Association (ACTCOMA) Chief Convenor Buddhika De Silva told The Daily Morning that although imported oil is subjected to several forms of tests, this oil is most likely to contain heavy metal residues as a result of artificial, chemical-based refining processes. 

Pointing out that the non-existence of a way for consumers to learn that this oil, often sold as ordinary coconut oil, has been refined chemically, is a major issue, he added: “In addition to introducing such a system, the enforcement of the existing laws should receive immediate attention. We have the necessary laws to combat this issue. What is missing is proper enforcement.”

According to De Silva, laws pertaining to the importation and sale of coconut oil which should be enforced by the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA), importation related laws which should be enforced by the Coconut Development Authority (CDA), and food security related laws which should be enforced by the Health Ministry are among these laws. He opined that the strict enforcement of these laws alone should address this issue.

Attempts to contact the CAA and the CDA yesterday (7), to discuss these concerns and any actions being taken from their end, were not successful.