By Tyrone Reid, Staff ReporterMORE PLAYERS in the agro-processing industry, responsible for producing canned ackees, have alleged that their labels are being duplicated by unknown persons and are being sold both at home and abroad.
"Some of the certified companies have reported that some unscrupulous manufacturers have imitated their labels to have their ackees go overseas as well as sold on the local market," said Andrew Morales, president of the Jamaica Agro Processors Association (JAPA).
Another primary figure in the industry, Ira Ashman, managing director of Ashman Food Products Ltd., described the happenings in the market as 'organised illegal activity'. "The whole ackee thing has become a Mafia racket (and) it has the potential of destroying the export market or put a halt to it," he warned. "It is big business, we don't want to call any names but we have our suspicions (as to who is responsible)," he added.
This comes on the heels of a release issued by the Bureau of Standards on Wednesday putting the public on guard for untested canned ackees under the 'Pot O' Gold' label. The Pot O' Gold canned ackee purported that it was manufactured by West Best Foods and labelled by Agriventures Ltd. However, the manufacturing code and the labelling code displayed on the tins, differ from that owned by both companies. They have denied being associated with the product.
NEVER PROVEN
However, Dorothy Ramsay, managing director of Canco Ltd., views the prevailing situation slightly different from Mr. Ashman. "We have heard of it (label) being used overseas to market their goods, but it has never been proven," said Mrs. Ramsay.
Mr. Morales, told The Gleaner that the illegal duplication of labels belonging to manufacturers that are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the United States is a direct attempt by deceitful individuals to underhandedly take a slice of the lucrative North American market.
"Because the U.S. provides the most lucrative market for the sale of our ackees, you find then that all sorts of bandooloo business would come," he said. He added that if these Bureau untested and FDA unapproved ackees successfully infiltrate the overseas market then "Jamaica would get a serious blow".
"We must put in all the measures to ensure that it doesn't happen. I can tell you that JAPA is working closely with the Bureau and any such matter that comes to our attention, we will not hesitate to bring the Bureau onboard to investigate the matter," Mr. Morales stated adamantly.
While Mr. Morales was quite pleased with the Bureau's policing of the industry, Mr. Ashman believes that the agency and the Government can do more to protect the legal manufacturers. "I am calling on the Bureau of Standards and the Ministry to put in more strict conditions on ackee processors."
Efforts to solicit a response from Dr. Omer Thomas, executive director of the Bureau of Standards, were unsuccessful.
