The Presidential Secretariat has responded to allegations raised by the Public Health Inspectors' Union (PHIU) regarding the quality of rice stocks stored in the Veyangoda warehouse designated for the school meal program. In a statement issued, the Secretariat clarified that only rice stocks deemed suitable for human consumption by an expert committee have been authorized for distribution.
The expert committee, appointed by the Gampaha Divisional Health Services Director, relied on analytical reports from both the Government Analyst’s Department and the Medical Research Institute to provide recommendations regarding the suitability of the rice stocks. These recommendations form the basis for the selection of rice for distribution in the school meal program.
The statement from the Presidential Secretariat follows earlier claims made by the PHIU, asserting that the rice stocks stored in the government warehouse in Veyangoda were substandard and unfit for consumption due to insect damage. These rice stocks were intended for use in the school meals program, which is conducted in collaboration with the World Food Programme (WFP) to provide nutritious lunches to schoolchildren.
In response to the allegations, the Partnership Secretariat for WFP Co-operation under the Presidential Secretariat has issued a special press release to address the concerns and provide clarification on the matter.
As the controversy surrounding the quality of rice stocks continues, the statements from the Presidential Secretariat aim to reassure the public and stakeholders involved in the school meal program regarding the safety and suitability of the food provided to schoolchildren.
The statement from the Presidential Secretariat is as follows;
The Veyangoda warehouse complex has only issued rice stocks deemed suitable for human consumption by the expert committee appointed by the Gampaha Divisional Health Services Director for distribution in the school meal program.
The committee has provided relevant recommendations relying on analytical reports from the Government Analyst’s Department and the Medical Research Institute. (Annexure 01)
To ensure compliance, all Provincial Chief Secretaries are instructed in writing to mobilize a team that represents the health sector to conduct a thorough re-inspection and retrieval of the rice stock confirmed safe for consumption by multiple institutions from the Veyangoda warehouse complex. Additionally, they are tasked with strategizing to utilize this rice stock before May 01. (Annexure 02)
As per protocol, prior to distributing the rice stock from the central warehouse to the respective provinces, it is mandatory for the senior officer from the Provincial Department of Education and a Public Health Inspector (PHI) representing the province to ensure its suitability for human consumption. Only after their official confirmation through signature, the rice stocks are released to the respective provinces. (Annexure 03)
To enhance health safety and food quality for schoolchildren, the directions further emphasize the necessity for the rice supplied by the World Food Program to undergo inspection by the Public Health Inspector and a representative of the School Nutrition Committee before being distributed to school cooks. (Annexure 04)
Compliant with international food packaging quality standards, this batch of rice is advised to be utilized before May 31. (Annexure 05)
As the rice has been received as a grant, the packaging is labelled “Not for Sale.” This label does not indicate that the rice is unsuitable for consumption.
Following a comprehensive inspection representing diverse health sector considerations, the World Food Program has confirmed its suitability.
The expert committee, appointed by the Gampaha Divisional Health Services Director, relied on analytical reports from both the Government Analyst’s Department and the Medical Research Institute to provide recommendations regarding the suitability of the rice stocks. These recommendations form the basis for the selection of rice for distribution in the school meal program.
The statement from the Presidential Secretariat follows earlier claims made by the PHIU, asserting that the rice stocks stored in the government warehouse in Veyangoda were substandard and unfit for consumption due to insect damage. These rice stocks were intended for use in the school meals program, which is conducted in collaboration with the World Food Programme (WFP) to provide nutritious lunches to schoolchildren.
In response to the allegations, the Partnership Secretariat for WFP Co-operation under the Presidential Secretariat has issued a special press release to address the concerns and provide clarification on the matter.
As the controversy surrounding the quality of rice stocks continues, the statements from the Presidential Secretariat aim to reassure the public and stakeholders involved in the school meal program regarding the safety and suitability of the food provided to schoolchildren.
The statement from the Presidential Secretariat is as follows;
The Veyangoda warehouse complex has only issued rice stocks deemed suitable for human consumption by the expert committee appointed by the Gampaha Divisional Health Services Director for distribution in the school meal program.
The committee has provided relevant recommendations relying on analytical reports from the Government Analyst’s Department and the Medical Research Institute. (Annexure 01)
To ensure compliance, all Provincial Chief Secretaries are instructed in writing to mobilize a team that represents the health sector to conduct a thorough re-inspection and retrieval of the rice stock confirmed safe for consumption by multiple institutions from the Veyangoda warehouse complex. Additionally, they are tasked with strategizing to utilize this rice stock before May 01. (Annexure 02)
As per protocol, prior to distributing the rice stock from the central warehouse to the respective provinces, it is mandatory for the senior officer from the Provincial Department of Education and a Public Health Inspector (PHI) representing the province to ensure its suitability for human consumption. Only after their official confirmation through signature, the rice stocks are released to the respective provinces. (Annexure 03)
To enhance health safety and food quality for schoolchildren, the directions further emphasize the necessity for the rice supplied by the World Food Program to undergo inspection by the Public Health Inspector and a representative of the School Nutrition Committee before being distributed to school cooks. (Annexure 04)
Compliant with international food packaging quality standards, this batch of rice is advised to be utilized before May 31. (Annexure 05)
As the rice has been received as a grant, the packaging is labelled “Not for Sale.” This label does not indicate that the rice is unsuitable for consumption.
Following a comprehensive inspection representing diverse health sector considerations, the World Food Program has confirmed its suitability.
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