New labelling, advertising rules leave confectionery industry in sticky situation

• LCMA says companies, especially SMEs, struggle with compliance due to costly and impractical requirements
• Stresses new government has yet to address concerns leaving stakeholders in uncertainty
• Stakeholders urge for amendments to certain clauses to balance consumer health and with industry viability

By Nuzla Rizkiya

The confectionery industry expressed serious concerns over a new set of rules, introduced for labelling and advertising packaged food in the country, which is set to take effect from January 2025.

Lanka Confectionery Manufacturers Association (LCMA) said those involved in manufacturing packaged ready-to-eat foods across the country are in a dilemma over complying with the new regulations which were introduced by the Ministry of Health in 2022 and announced by the government through a 29-paged gazette dated February 14, 2023.

Speaking to Mirror Business, LCMA Past President S.M.D. Suriyakumar shared that many companies, especially small and medium-sized enterprises, are struggling to comply with the new regulations as certain clauses are “impossible” to follow in Sri Lanka due to the lack of infrastructure.

According to him, requirements such as the detailed nutritional labelling which requires advanced testing and lab facilities, the strict protocols in product sampling and the restrictions for advertising are some of the difficult rules companies are struggling to comply with. 

“All the confectionery manufacturers, food packaging, processing companies are concerned because there are some areas where there is actually no benefit for consumers. We had very strong discussions with the previous government and we explained the practical difficulties such as the huge outflow of money because of the sugar testing, which, I think many small and medium-scale producers cannot even afford,” Suriyakumar said.

“We are not against any regulations to protect consumer health and we accept that there should be some control in areas like advertising. But some clauses should really be discussed and changed to safeguard both the industries and consumers,” he added.

As an example, he shared a clause which bans promoting food to children under twelve through advertisement leaflets, free samples, toys, or using cartoon characters and celebrities unless approved by the Chief Food Authority.

He pointed out the rule is ineffective as product promotions are often carried out in outdoor spaces and events such as festivals and carnivals where people of all ages gather, including mothers who may willingly give products to their children.

Moreover, as the new government has yet to  address the matter , Suriyakumar shared that industries are left in a deep state of worry as stakeholders await clarity and support with the 2025 deadline approaching.

“We are trying our best to meet the ministers and the authorities soon. Earlier, we had many discussions and agreed on certain things but we still have not received any official confirmation or gazette to indicate any of those agreements. Now we are not in the position to do it anyway because January 1 is so close. So everyone is really disturbed and waiting for clarity,” Suriyakumar stressed.

The Ministry of Health developed and introduced the new regulations for food packaging in Sri Lanka to replace the Food (Labelling and Advertising) Regulations of 2005 followed in the country previously. 

The new guidelines outline several key requirements such as mandatory labelling, language specifications, ingredient listing and the declaration of net contents.

The rules were initially set to come into effect on January 1, 2024 but the implementation date was further extended to January 1, 2025 to give industries more time to comply with the new criteria.