COLOMBO (News 1st): Several containers of imported coconut oil were re-shipped in the last three months given the presence of harmful components not suitable for human consumption, the Ministry of Health said.

Cancer-causing chemicals were detected in certain imported coconut oil consignments, during an inspection by the Food Control Unit at the Colombo Port, a high-ranking official at the Health Ministry told News 1st on Thursday (Mar. 11).

According to the Health Ministry official, the coconut oil containers in question were imported from Indonesia and the Philippines.

Meanwhile, several containers of fish, which contained components harmful for human consumption were also re-shipped, the Ministry of Health further noted.

The consignments of fish in question were found to contain heavy metals Arsenic and Mercury, according to the Health Ministry.

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