Circular issued against adding sugar into tea

13 November 2015 12:15 pm - 14 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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In a bid to control the sharp rise of people falling victims to diabetes, the Health Ministry has laid down regulations for tea shops, restaurants and state and private sector institutions to follow when serving tea, coffee and soft drinks.

Tea, coffee and milk served at state events such as workshops, meetings and functions should be prepared without sugar with a bowl of sugar and spoons made available so that the guests could use sugar according to their preference, a circular issued by Health Services Director General Dr. Palitha Mahipala said.

A sticker should be in place with the warning, “Less use of sugar prevents diabetes and other diseases.” These regulations are applicable to hotels, restaurants, and tea boutiques as well.

The circular states that the people and the medical staff should be made aware about the demerits of the excessive use of sugar that could cause Non Communicable Diseases (NCD). The selling and serving of food with excessive salt, excessive sugar and oily foods should be minimized in school canteens and food outlets.

The Health Ministry has recruited a number of Endocrinologists specialized in treating diabetes for the control of the disease.

The Health Ministry and the Non Communicable Disease Unit (NCDU) will launch a national awareness programme today to urge the public to use less sugar as a means of preventing diabetes which is increasing rapidly making it one of the main health problems in the country. (Sandun A Jayasekera)

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Comments - 14

Top Cat Friday, 13 November 2015 07:12 PM

Bowl of sugar and the spoon is sure to vanish!

Pat Friday, 13 November 2015 07:25 PM

Good move. Studies show that sugar intake needs to be regulated by public health agencies for improved health.

Sapu Friday, 13 November 2015 07:44 PM

There are places that add to much sugar and this will solve that but the govt should look at the quality of sugar

Asrar Ahmed Friday, 13 November 2015 11:46 PM

Very good , if we all get used to use less sugar could prevent lots health issues and better quality of life People could give lots of negative thoughts at first it happens but we will get used to it

michael pereira Saturday, 14 November 2015 12:33 AM

A commendable step in the right direction. It should not stop here. The government should bring in mandatory legislation whereby all restaurants, coffee shops, bottled drink makers, and confectionery makers should display the calorific value of each item and the sugar contained in each item. The public has the right to know. Educate them and give them the right information and Sri Lankans are intelligent enough to make the right decision. Admittedly, the diabetes medication mafia will go to any lengths to scuttle such moves since their sales will go down in the long run. But the government needs t o do this and protect its citizens, especially the younger generation.

Dee Saturday, 14 November 2015 12:49 AM

What kind of economics? Stupid. Allow people to have much sugar as they want. Earn good money from it. Stop free meds for diabetics and sell pills to counter it. Everyone is happy. Think like MaRa guys!

DR R|FAI Saturday, 14 November 2015 02:16 AM

This is indeed a good move . It should be put into practice with some strict law. government must punish those who violates this law.

clueless Saturday, 14 November 2015 02:43 AM

Over eating and lack of exercise is the main cause of diabetic in Sri Lanka.

MythBuster Saturday, 14 November 2015 07:40 AM

Im sure that government Health Advisors should read this articlehttpwww.healthline.comhealthtype-2-diabetesmyths-and-misconceptionsLet me summarize sugar makes you overwieght fat which is a risk factor for getting diabetes not a cause. In a country where a majority are malnourished and under weight a little sugar might actually be somewhat of a meal Also consider other factors like bread and rice which give out sugar are we to stop eating them The government shouldnt play on superstitions or misconceptions of the public. via DM Android App

iresha Saturday, 14 November 2015 08:16 AM

How about Salt. Now-days Sri Lanka food out lets serve Salt very highly in foods. It leads Hypertension, sudden death.

Ram Saturday, 14 November 2015 05:55 PM

Many ice cream and related products from jaffna have exteremely high amount of sugar. To name one is popular "Rio ice cream house".

shankar Sunday, 15 November 2015 09:56 AM

how about condensed milk tea which is in broad practice how are we to avoid sugar from condensed milk

Ganesha Sunday, 15 November 2015 04:09 PM

This is not a solution certainly but hotels and restaurant can use less sugar and anybody needs more could be added and serverd

Regi Monday, 16 November 2015 12:38 PM

It is better to use Sugar Cubes and it is easier to count the quantity

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Circular issued against adding sugar into tea

Comments - 14

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