The Empowerment of Rural Women Project, operated by the Social Services and Home Economics Department of the Rural Agricultural Development Authority, has started commercial production of a prune substitute made from the Jamaican otaheite apple.

The substitute can also be used instead of raisins and currants in pastry recipes.

Manager of the Social Services and Home Economics department, Lorna Gooden, pointed out that the organisation first began the project in 1990, but perfected the product in April this year.

"We sought to utilise the otaheite apple, because it is so abundant when it is in season, yet it goes to waste ... due to its high moisture and water content, therefore it does not last long, even when in season," she explained.

Although not revealing how the substitute was made, she noted that the department followed stringent standards that have been used for making its Otaheite Pancake Syrup, and those stipulated by the Bureau of Standards Jamaica.

Mrs. Gooden noted that while the prune substitute was relatively unknown in the baking industry, she has encouraged bakeries, wholesalers and persons in the food industry to use it rather than imported prunes.

"We are looking for it to be widespread in the market by the end of this year, and hopefully it is used to replace some of the imported prunes," she added.