Coconut oil producer calls for govt. intervention to ensure quality

27 July 2015 03:24 am

A leading coconut oil manufacturer in the country calls for government intervention to introduce a regulatory mechanism to ensure the quality of the coconut oil sold in the local market.

The lack of regulation and the absence of an acceptable benchmark quality standard in the industry have led to an unfortunate situation, where various individuals and companies feed the marketplace with inferior quality, substandard coconut oil, which jeopardizes the health of the people, according to Cherubium Lanka Head of Sales and Marketing Denzil Perera.

Cherubium Lanka, a 100 percent Sri Lankan company within the NMK Holdings umbrella, has introduced more than 30 safe and hygienic food products, including ‘Marina’ Pure Coconut Oil and ‘Marina Lite’ to the local and international market.

According to Perera, the SLS quality certification standard introduced by the Sri Lanka Standards Institution for coconut oil does not adequately cover the goodness, quality, nutrition standards of the products rather it is a certification which only covers the process and packing. 

“Therefore, nobody can give a categorical assurance on the goodness, quality and safety standards of most coconut oil products in the marketplace. Without any concern for goodness, quality, safety and hygienic standards, it is possible to produce coconut oil at low cost and also sell it at comparatively cheaper prices to consumers”, he explained. 

“We appeal to those in authority to intervene and ensure the regulation of this vital industry to safeguard the interests of all segments involved in the business,” he said.