By Rosemary Parkinson, Freelance WriterI RECEIVED a phone call from John Ramson, Managing Director of Caribbean Foods Ltd., manufacturers of Foska Oats, regarding my article in last week's Food.
In true Caribbean style Mr. Ramson used his investigative powers to get hold of me. He had a mission and he was determined to achieve it.
He began with an apology (you might recall, I had found a worm in a box of Foska Oats) which I humbly accepted. He went on to offer me a replacement for the box of oats (which has since been delivered to me by his son and, in fact, as I write this, there is a bowl sitting next to me with honey and a little butter drizzled on top), and ended by pledging to donate a substantial amount of oats to aid me in my drive to help people who are going through a difficult time as a result of Hurricane Ivan. So that little worm is the reason many a family in need will have oats on their table by next week. So I shall blow up his picture and hang it on the wall with a plaque reading: "Hero Worm -- gone, but not forgotten."
In addition, I received a letter from Caribbean Foods Ltd. which read in part: "Caribbean Foods Limited keeps as part of their quality control procedures samples of all batches that have been released from the factory. We have checked samples from that date and shift code, and found no such infestation. We would like to investigate this incident fully and it would be helpful if you could provide the date and name of the supermarket, wholesaler or store that you brought the package of Foska Oats from and also send us the remainder of the package for inspection."
I have provided the information but unfortunately the box has long gone into the rubbish.
Now, this is what really interested me about his letter. "We sincerely regret your experience, but wish to point out that there are other contamination points outside of our factory that should be taken into consideration. There could have been contamination due to the condition of the storage facilities of the various retail and wholesale outlets used in the distribution system across Jamaica."
The point regarding retail and wholesale outlets caught my attention. Hmmm. Mr. Ramson tells me that Caribbean Foods has been insisting that the outlets they deal with adhere to sanitary regulations. The company, he says, has sometimes gone as far as assisting in the spraying of such establishments. His son adds that they will be getting even tougher on this issue.
Thank you Caribbean Foods.
INSIST ON BETTER SANITARY STANDARDS
In travelling across this land, I've noted that the sanitary standard is appalling. This is not just about Jamaica, it's the case across the Caribbean. We have failed miserably so far in getting that 'cleanliness is next to godliness' saying across to our people and maybe now is the time for government, schools, organisations, as well as each and everyone of us to put forth ideas to get that message out there in a big way. We need posters, more talks within villages. We need communication. We need YOU to insist upon it the moment you see something amiss.
In villages across this country, I've witnessed plastic being burned for fuel (yes, under jerk meats, for instance). I explain to people what these fumes do to their children and am appalled at how many people are ignorant of the carcinogens involved here. Others should, but just do not wish to know. Some know but develop that 'quite frankly Madam I do not give a damn' attitude, giving new meaning to those immortal words from the movie 'Gone With The Wind'.
I have been to groceries, which are in dire need of comprehending that "CING" concept -- Cleanliness is next to Godliness. The problem even exists with some major supermarkets that might have excellent looking interiors but appalling storerooms or shocking unsanitary conditions outside at the back once the doors are closed. Dear God, a heaven for rats -- and I mean heaven as well as haven.
So guess what, from now on I shall be taking a closer look and making complaints to management about dreadful situations I come across and I suggest you do the same. It is up to us to bring these indiscretions to the fore.
AIR JAMAICA, IT'S ABOUT THE SANDWICH
Now dear, dear Miss Sandra Faulkner from Air Jamaica. It appears that you might feel that I have a personal grudge against Air Jamaica because at every opportunity I make mention of that awful sandwich on the Barbados/Montego Bay route.
By the way, it's not just about that insult to the inventor of the sandwich, Lord Sandwich himself, it's also about that hardcore miniature apple from the Big Apple and those crushed Oreo cookies. Anyhow, let me assure you that on more than one occasion Air Jamaica has gotten so much free advertising from me people might think I have shares in the airline. I love this airline and I do not fly where Air Jamaica does not venture and have said so many times. But, hey, I do not think that sandwich does Air Jamaica any justice. Passengers hate it (although even I have to agree it is infinitely better than the eight-pretzel delight of some other airlines) and it is no state secret that your in-flight staff has begged for it to be replaced with something a little more palatable.
Please, Miss Faulkner, I beg you, it's really not about Air Jamaica, it's about THE SANDWICH. All of us who fly that route want it removed so it does not continue to smear the image of your wonderful in-flight chef Louis Bailey who serves up those delish gourmet-style foods in your advertising.
Hope I have made this very clear. And again, just so Air Jamaica knows that I love dem bad -- if you don't fly Air Jamaica, you ain't flying.
Rosemary Parkinson was last seen dressed in armour, packing lantern, flashlight, camera and flash ready for the fight of the century - people vs. cleanliness. She in a fowl mood and worse dan Ivan.
