Cheaper wheat flour 'brings health risks'

The reduction of prices of wheat flour products poses health risks for Sri Lankans through the consumption of starchy foods, said business community leader Tissa Jayaweera.

The mini Budget of the Government has reduced taxes on wheat flour which is considered a substitute for the staple rice diet of Sri Lankans.

The former President of the International Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka, Jayaweera said that the State as a goodwill measure to bring the cost of living down has reduced taxes on wheat flour. Many people around the world enjoy eating white bread and products of white wheat.

"However, the latest research states that products of white wheat flour is not good for health or it can be a danger to your health, which may be a shock and surprise to most of us," he said.

Governments around the world have imposed additional taxes to reduce the consumption of white wheat flour-based products. Jayaweera queried as to why wheat is white, when the flour produced from wheat is not white? It is because wheat is chemically bleached in flour mills. Mills may use different types of chemicals to make flour white which may be harmful to health. Some of the known chemicals are Oxides of Nitrogen, Chlorine, Chloride, Peroxides of Nitrosyl, Benzoyle and chemical salts. The protein in the flour may be converted into Alloxon, which has a tendency to activate diabetes, he said.

Bread and other white wheat products are substitutes for meals which are easy to produce and are easily available over the counter.

In Sri Lanka people are rejoicing the drop in the price of wheat flour.

"If we are to encourage a healthier nation, the price of wheat flower in the retail market should be higher than that of unpolished rice which is grown by our farmers who put their heart and soul into it," he said.

- SJ