Colombo (News 1st): The system of colour coding for the amount of sugar, salt, and fat contained in solid and semi-solid food items will be regulated from today (June 1). 

The Ministry of Health said that the relevant gazettes were issued on the 17th of last month.

This colour coding method is used to prevent children and adults from being affected with non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure and cholesterol.

If the sugar content is 22 grams per 100 grams in a specific food, the colour code will be red and if this quantity is between eight grams and 22 grams per 100 grams, the colour code will be amber. The sugar content in 100 grams of the specific food is less than eight grams it will be in green colour.