Leonardo Blair, Staff Reporter
SOME 90 per cent of ackee processors are now back in business after growing cases of fraud in the industry, post-Hurricane Ivan, forced the Jamaica Bureau of Standards (JBS) to place a 60-day ban on the product on October 15.
Gladston Rose, manager of standardisation at the JBS, explained in an interview yesterday that within the last four weeks, several ackee processors have been allowed to start production again after having their plants inspected.
"We have had a gradual lifting (of the ban) over the last four weeks or so because of the on-going investigation and I would say about 90 per cent of them (processors) are now back in business," he said.
Mr. Rose pointed out that a complete lifting of the ban will not be effected until sometime next year.
Representatives of the Agro-processors Association, the Jamaica Agricultural Society, the Jamaica Export Association and the JBS will also be meeting today to discuss an agreement expected to establish guidelines on the supply of ackee to the processors.
FRAUDULENT
In October, Dr. Omer Thomas, executive director at the JBS, said the suspension was necessary as several traders and distributors were being fraudulent, especially in terms of labelling their products.
"We suspect that labels are being traded between some legal suppliers and distributors of ackees and uncertified persons for use in trade. They are purchasing ackees from persons who, in fact, take young and immature ackees and give them chemicals so they can be opened," Dr. Thomas had said.
The Scientific Research Council warned in a document that ackees should never be eaten before the pods are open because a poisonous substance, hypoglycin A, is strongest in unripe ackees. The toxin causes symptoms of low blood sugar and changes in liver chemistry and leads to vomiting, especially in malnourished children.
In its clampdown on the illegal activity, the Bureau seized over 380 cases of canned ackees.
