Health Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne has proposed to introduce a colour code system indicating the sugar level contained in sweetmeats. The system will be introduced soon and the relevant gazette notification will be issued, Health Ministry sources said.
According to sources, recently Minister Senaratne held a discussion with the Sri Lanka Sweetmeats Manufacturers Association and pointed out that diabetes is increasing at an alarming rate among the farming community.
The colour code system for the sugar content in all sweetmeats including cake, dodol, boondhi, biscuits etc will be introduced soon and the relevant gazette notification will also be issued. The members of Sri Lanka Sweetmeat Manufacturers Association can hold discussions with food advisers in connection with any issue, the sources said.
The colour code system (traffic light system) is already implemented for sugar content in drinks available in the local market. The Red label is for sugar content exceeding 11 grams per 100 milliliters. A green label is for drinks which contain two grams or less sugar, while the middle level sugar content (between 2 and 4 grams per 100 ml) is indicated by a yellow label, the sources added.
