Ban on milk food ads will be strictly enforced

by Carol Aloysius

The ban on milk food advertisements in the print and electronic media on a directive of the Director General Health Services, Dr. P.G. Maheepala, will be strictly enforced, Health Ministry sources have said.

“We’re keeping a sharp eye on any newspaper, television channel or radio station that advertises milk foods. Offenders will be taken to courts”. Health Ministry spokesman W.A.D. Wanninayake told the Sunday Observer. He said the ban was imposed for an indefinite period and would only be lifted at the discretion of the Director General of Health Services.

Meanwhile further tests are being carried out on milk food samples at the Industrial Technology Institute (ITI) lab. Asked to comment on the alleged lack of scientific technology at the ITI to carry out such tests as charged by the Fonterra milk company, he said. “Let them lodge a complaint in court to resolve the issue”.

Wanninayake also denied rumours that a directive had been sent by the Health Ministry to canteens across the island to stop serving milk tea. “We have only asked that four specified batches of milk powders be removed from the shop shelves.

This is happening. But at no time was a Ministry directive sent to stop eateries from serving tea with any other milk powders.

“I have just returned from a long trip after stopping to drink some milk tea just this morning”, he said.