COLOMBO, June 9 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka's health ministry has ordered the custom authorities to enforce a new strict regulation on food imports, a minister said Thursday.

"According to the new regulation, food importers must ensure that the foods reach the country prior to a minimum of 60 percent of time before the expiry date," said Health Minister Maithreepala Sirisena.

Sirisena said the new regulation will come into effect on Aug. 1.

He said the regulation will be strictly observed as it was revealed that certain food items reach Sri Lanka only a few days before the expiry date.

An investigation conducted by the Food Consultative Committee of the Health Ministry has found that many traders sell food items even after the expiry date, said Sirisena.

June 9^th, 2011

Source: Xinhua News

• US tariff threats over forced labour 'unjustified', Commission says
• US Section 301 Forced Labor Investigation: New Trade Compliance Risks for Viet Nam Exporters
• US cites forced labor concerns as grounds for new tariffs
• Aquatic products face challenge of maintaining market share in US
• Viet Nam extends anti-dumping duties on some Thai sugar products to 2031