CAC satisfied with removal of corned beef from shelves
Published:Friday | March 24, 2017 | 12:00 AM
Noting that only few parishes are left to be visited, Dolsie Allen, head of the Consumer Affairs Commission (CAC), said her organisation is satisfied with the level of compliance from stores and outlets regarding the removal of corned beef from their shelves.
She noted that thus far, they have visited the parishes of Clarendon, Hanover, St James, Westmoreland, St Elizabeth, Manchester, Portland, St Mary, and sections in the Kingston Metropolitan Area.
Last Monday, the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries ordered an immediate ban on the importation of corned beef from Brazil, where 99.5 per cent of the local product comes from. The public was also urged not to consume any. This stemmed from reports of several major Brazilian meat processors being under investigation for "selling rotten beef and poultry" for years.
LIFT BAN
Since then, the Brazilian government asked Jamaica to lift the ban, which was put in place after a report emerged suggesting that rotten beef and poultry were being used in the manufacturing of the popular food product.
"We wouldn't support lifting the ban right now, we are basically still pursuing it," she said.
"The compliance has been good. We have been to at least five locations in each of these parishes. From what the CAC has done so far, we have had more than 90 per cent compliance into the removal of corned beef," Allen told The Gleaner.
She added, "It's a temporary ban that is on and we encourage persons to comply with it; it is in your interest that we are taking these actions. While we cannot confirm any contamination in the corned beef, I think it's best for us to be on the safe side. We prefer to be cautious rather than to be sorry. We encourage persons to take responsibility for their health."