By Tyrone Reid, Staff ReporterTHE BUREAU of Standards has posted a warning to the public with regard to untested canned ackees that have surfaced on the market.
"The Bureau of Standards is advising consumers to beware of fraudulent untested canned ackees which are currently being sold on the market," read a release from the island's watchdog of safety regulations.
The release further stated that the untested ackees are being sold under the 'Pot O' Gold' label and are purported to be manufactured by West Best Foods. Marie Berbick-Graham, the bureau's public relations officer, added that the ackees were also labelled as belonging to a company named Agriventures Jamaica Limited.
COMPANIES FRAMED
However, preliminary inquiries by the Bureau have discovered that both companies are being framed, as the manufacturing code and labelling codes displayed on the ackees, do not correspond with that of West Best Foods and Agriventures Jamaica Limited respectively.
When The Gleaner contacted Novell Quest, chairman and CEO of Agriventures Jamaica Limited, he said that his company parted ways with the label 14 months ago. "I am disassociating my company from the Pot O' Gold label and the use of the label," Mr. Quest stated.
Andrew Morales, managing director of West Best Foods, echoed a similar sentiments. "West Best Foods have nothing whatsoever to do with these ackees. We have however found out who the culprits are and have decided to take legal action," he said.
Executive director of the Bureau of Standards, Dr. Omer Thomas stated that the agency's inspectors have been alerted and given the mandate to remove the illegal ackees from the shelves. Dr. Thomas added that his company has to stand their guard, especially in the aftermath of a hurricane, where tinned foods and other non-perishable items are in greater demand. "The Bureau has to protect consumers who may be desperate for a quick meal in light of the post-hurricane situation."
