Sri Lanka Unveils First National Food Safety Policy 🥗

Sri Lanka has launched its first-ever National Food Safety Policy to transform the national food control system, safeguard public health, and drive economic growth through a risk-based framework. • Policy Overview: Led by the Ministry of Health and Mass Media (FCAU), the initiative provides strategic direction across the entire value chain—from production to consumption—resolving a long-standing gap in institutional coordination. • International Support: Developed with technical assistance from the FAO and funding from the European Union via the BESPA programme. • Legislative Integration: Supported by an upcoming update to the Food Act to enforce governance and regulatory compliance. Strategic Priority Areas: • Food safety governance & institutional coordination • End-to-end food chain controls & risk management • Legislative frameworks & enhanced standards • Surveillance, laboratory capacity & risk analysis • Stakeholder communication, education & capacity building • Monitoring & evaluation mechanisms Economic Impact: The framework aims to bolster consumer confidence, boost competitiveness in agriculture and agrifood exports, lower food losses, and expand growth opportunities in international trade and tourism.