Nutrition physicians concerned over removal of key posts in Food Control Unit

Colombo, August 27 (Daily Mirror) - The Sri Lanka College of Nutrition Physicians (SLCNP) has expressed strong concern over attempts to remove Consultant Nutrition Physician (CNP) posts from the Ministry of Health’s Food Control Administration Unit, warning that the move would seriously weaken public health safeguards, sources said. 

According to sources within the Association of Medical Specialists (AMS), the Deputy Director General of Environmental and Occupational Health (DDG/EOH) was attempting to abolish the posts, despite them being previously approved. 

Their role was essential to ensure “evidence-based, clinically relevant, and scientifically sound” decisions on matters directly linked to nutrition and health.

At present, the Food Control Administration Unit has provision for two administrative posts (SL1), three Consultant Nutrition Physician posts (SL3), two Community Physicians (SL3), and two Medical Officers (SL2). However, no Consultant Nutrition Physicians are currently serving in the unit.

“This situation is deeply concerning given Sri Lanka’s rising burden of non-communicable diseases, including cancers, many of which are strongly linked to food. The absence of nutrition physicians means key technical input is missing at the highest policy level,” the sources warned.

Meanwhile, in a letter addressed to Health Secretary Dr. Anil Jasinghe, the SLCNP stressed that Consultant Nutrition Physicians are the Ministry’s technical experts in nutrition, providing professional guidance on food safety, standards, and regulations.