Health Ministry found a carcinogenic substance called aflatoxin in the coconut oil imported by these companies. The contaminated coconut oil is harmful for human consumption since a high level of aflatoxin could cause liver cancer. The Ware Houses with questionable coconut oil consignments sealed, and further investigations carried out by the Health Ministry and the Bureau of Standards.
Trade Minister Bandula Gunawardena repeatedly said yesterday that the questionable consignment of coconut oil had not been released to the market.
