COLOMBO, May 30 (Xinhua) -- Importers of fruit into Sri Lanka will be required to obtain a report on heavy metals starting from June 1 as part of the country's efforts to improve food safety, the Health Ministry said on Tuesday.
The new requirement came after a recent survey by the Sri Lankan Ministry of Health, which found that many imported fruit samples were contaminated with lead, the ministry said in a statement.
The heavy metals report must come from an accredited and independent laboratory from the exporting country and will be a mandatory requirement for the release of fruit consignments into the country.
Importers are advised not to import any fruit with heavy metals above the Codex levels, as they will be rejected at the port of entry, said the ministry.
The country has been working to strengthen its food safety regulations in recent years, in response to concerns about the safety of imported food. ■