The Food Control Administration Unit (FCAU) of the Ministry of Health and Mass Media in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) successfully conducted a four-day national workshop on strengthening laboratory capacity for trans‑fatty acid (TFA) analysis from 22-25 June 2026 at the National Institute of Health Sciences (NIHS), Kalutara. This initiative comes at a critical juncture, as Sri Lanka prepares to implement the Food (Trans-Fat) Regulations from 1 July 2026, aimed at limiting industrially produced trans fats in the food supply. Industrially produced trans fats are a significant contributor to cardiovascular diseases and other noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), making their elimination a public health priority.
The workshop aimed to strengthen the technical capacity of laboratory staff to accurately detect and quantify trans‑fatty acids, using WHO-recommended analytical methods, and to support effective implementation, monitoring, and enforcement of the Food (Trans-Fat) Regulations in Sri Lanka at the same time bringing together laboratory professionals from across Sri Lanka to build technical capacity for accurate detection and quantification of trans fats to support the implementation of the Food (Trans-Fat) Regulations.
Building national capacity for food safety and NCD prevention
Strengthening laboratory capacity is essential to support effective enforcement of regulatory limits and ensure healthier food environments at a juncture where Industrially produced trans fats are a major contributor to cardiovascular diseases and other noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). The workshop focused on WHO-recommended analytical methods, combining theoretical sessions with intensive, hands-on laboratory training. Participants developed competencies in key areas including:
- Gas chromatography techniques for trans-fat analysis
- Standard and sample preparation procedures
- Interpretation and reporting of analytical results
- Quality assurance and quality control systems
This practical, skills-based approach is essential for ensuring accurate, reliable, and standardized testing across laboratories, which underpins effective regulatory enforcement.
/countries/sri-lanka/hands-on-demo-at-tfa-workshop.jpeg?sfvrsn=166963dc_5 "Participants involved in hands-on activities during the TFA laboratory workshop")
Image 1 – Participants involved in hands-on activities during the TFA laboratory workshop (Credits – NIHS Sri Lanka)
The training was led by international and regional experts, including Dr Sanjit Kanjilal, Senior Principal Scientist and Chair of the Department of Oils, Lipid Science and Technology at CSIR–Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (India), and member of the WHO Trans Fat Elimination Technical Advisory Group and Dr Angela de Silva, Regional Advisor Nutrition and Physical activity, WHO South‑East Asia Regional Office. The workshop adopted a Training of Trainers (ToT) approach, enabling participants to cascade knowledge and skills within their respective institutions and strengthen capacity nationwide.
/countries/sri-lanka/dr-angela-de-silva-at-tfa-workshop.jpeg?sfvrsn=89d5b35d_3 "Dr Angela de Silva, designation, conducting a technical briefing on elimination of TFA from national food systems")
Image 2 – Dr Angela de Silva, designation, conducting a technical briefing on elimination of TFA from national food systems (Credits – Dr Yasara Samarakoon / WHO)
Supporting implementation of trans-fat regulations
The enhanced technical capacity developed through this workshop will directly support enforcement of trans-fat limits in food products, strengthened laboratory-based surveillance systems, identification of non-compliant products and evidence-based decision-making for regulatory action. By equipping laboratories with standardized analytical capabilities, Sri Lanka is strengthening its ability to translate policy into effective public health action. This effort reflects strong national commitment to reducing the burden of NCDs through evidence-based policy implementation.
/countries/sri-lanka/tfa-lab-equipment-demo.jpeg?sfvrsn=6b761388_3 "Participants receiving a demonstration on the use of TFA laboratory equipment as a part of hands-on training/practical exposure")
Image 3 – Participants receiving a demonstration on the use of TFA laboratory equipment as a part of hands-on training/practical exposure. (Credits – Dr Yasara Samarakoon / WHO)
Towards a trans fat-free Sri Lanka
The workshop also highlighted the broader national vision of eliminating industrially produced trans fats in line with WHO’s REPLACE action framework and global targets. As part of the way forward, participants are expected to institutionalize validated analytical methods such as routine laboratory procedures, strengthen quality assurance systems, support regulatory enforcement and surveillance and contribute to national research and monitoring efforts. These actions will be instrumental in advancing Sri Lanka’s goal of eliminating industrial trans fats and achieving the WHO Trans Fat Elimination Validation Certificate, marking progress towards a trans fat-free Sri Lanka.
/countries/sri-lanka/tfa-workshop-group-photo.jpeg?sfvrsn=a56c4d14_3 "Participants of the workshop on the final day, together with technical experts from FCAU, regional experts from CSIR–Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (India) and WHO SEARO, and WHO Sri Lanka team")
Image 4 – Participants of the workshop on the final day, together with technical experts from FCAU, regional experts from CSIR–Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (India) and WHO SEARO, and WHO Sri Lanka team (Credits – FCAU, MoH, Sri Lanka)
Sustaining progress through continued capacity development
Building on this national workshop, Sri Lanka plans to expand capacity through a cascade training approach, strengthening regional laboratories and ensuring sustained monitoring and enforcement across the country. WHO remains committed to supporting Sri Lanka in strengthening food safety systems, protecting population health, and advancing efforts to eliminate industrial trans fats.
WHO Representative to Sri Lanka, Dr Rajesh Sambhajirao Pandav concluded, “Strengthening laboratory capacity is a critical public health intervention. It enables Sri Lanka to enforce the Food (Trans-Fat) Regulations, 2022, which came into operation on 1 July 2026, monitor the food supply and take evidence-informed action to reduce the burden of noncommunicable diseases.”