A new Gazette notification issued by Minister of Health and Mass Media Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa prohibits featuring children under the age of 12 in food advertisements. The regulation will come into effect on January 1, 2025.
The directive was made in consultation with the Food Advisory Committee under Section 32 of the Food Act, No. 26 of 1980.
This amendment updates the Food (Labelling and Advertising) Regulations 2022, originally published in Gazette Extraordinary No. 2319/40 on February 14, 2023, and previously amended by Gazette Extraordinary No. 2364/24 on December 27, 2023.
The measure aims to safeguard children from undue influence and promote responsible advertising practices.