Grocery shops may soon have to stop selling unpackaged coconut oil under a proposed new requirement from the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA).
The CAA said steps are being taken to prohibit the sale of unpackaged coconut oil in the local market.
The move comes amid concerns over the adulteration of coconut oil available in the market.
Acting Director General of the CAA Samantha Karunasena announced the proposed change while appearing before a subcommittee of the Parliamentary Committee on Public Enterprises.
What Grocery Shops Need to Know
Under the proposed requirement, coconut oil sold in the market would need to be packaged.
The CAA has drafted a Gazette notification for this purpose. However, the notification is yet to be issued.
Therefore, the proposed restriction is not yet a current requirement for grocery shops.
Once the Gazette is issued, retailers selling coconut oil would need to follow the new requirements.
What Information Must Be on the Pack?
The proposed requirements would also introduce key labelling rules for packaged coconut oil.
The package would have to show the product name, weight, expiry date, batch number and manufacturer’s details.
This means grocery shops would need to check the labels on coconut oil products they purchase for sale once the new requirements come into effect.
The CAA is also working with the Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLSI) to maintain the required quality standards for coconut oil available in the local market.
The proposed changes are aimed at addressing concerns about the quality and adulteration of coconut oil sold to consumers.
Last modified: September 23, 2026
