THE MINISTRY of Health said yesterday that Advant Edge and Body of Life beverages distributed by Food For the Poor were wholesome and there was no evidence of contamination of the products tested.
Testing of the products was carried out by the Health Ministry in collaboration with the Bureau of Standards and overseas laboratories, following the poisoning of four youths - three fatally - from Gregory Park, St. Catherine, allegedly, after consuming the products.
But the Ministry of Health said yesterday it was continuing the investigations to arrive at a 'conclusive determination' of the cause of the poisoning of the four persons.
Reacting to the ministry's findings, Food For the Poor's Executive Director, Bradley Finzi-Smith said, "We want to thank the Ministry of Health and the other relevant authorities for issuing a press statement that cleared Food For the Poor of all association relating to the untimely death of (the) three persons. We also want to thank the Ministry of Commerce, Science & Technology, and Bureau of Standards, and the relevant police departments for their thorough and efficient investigations," Finzi-Smith added.
He said despite the ministry's clearance of Food For the Poor of responsibility, "we have asked the Ministry of Health to keep us in the loop as they continue to look into the cause of death". He added that the charitable organisation would continue to serve Gregory Park and other communities well.
