By Saman Indrajith
Trade Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe told Parliament yesterday that substandard coconut oil unfit for human consumption had entered the local market.
Responding to a query raised by SJB Badulla District MP Chaminda Wijesiri, Minister Samarasinghe said that market sample tests conducted by the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) had confirmed the presence of inferior-quality coconut oil in the market.
“The CAA has identified through market sample testing that substandard coconut oil, which is unfit for consumption, is available in the market,” Samarasinghe said.
Samarasinghe added that local producers were manufacturing and distributing low-quality coconut oil, often due to a lack of understanding regarding quality standards.
However, he also accused some producers of deliberately introducing inferior products to reduce costs and maximize profits.
“This is another racket taking place in our country,” the Minister said, adding that both virgin and raw coconut oil were being brought into the market under dubious circumstances.
Samarasinghe said that the government had identified several companies involved in the fraudulent practice.
