230 MT toxic coconut oil re-shipped to Malaysia today

A consignment of 230 metric tonnes of unrefined coconut oil brought to the Colombo Port on April 30 will be re-exported to Malaysia today, Customs Deputy Director (Legal Affairs) and Media Spokesman Sudattha Silva said.

He said the unrefined coconut oil was detected in twelve 20ft containers. The vessel 'Ever Ethic' was scheduled to arrive last Tuesday (May 4), but did not turn up as it left late from India, Mr. Silva said.

However, the ship is scheduled to reach the Colombo port this evening, he said.

Once the ship arrives at the port, the containers that carry the unrefined consignment of coconut oil be re-freighted to Malaysia, Mr. Silva said.

Earlier, the Customs Department had re-exported 105 MT of coconut oil which was imported in six containers were found contaminated with
carcinogen aflatoxin.

Those containers were sent back to Malaysia through the vessel named 'Barbara' on April 12. (Chaturanga Samarawickrama)