Viral video sparks outrage: Jamaicans condemn reckless ackee handling

A video circulating on social media of a woman opening ackees that were unfit has left Jamaicans stunned and outraged, sparking widespread condemnation of the act.

The footage shows the unidentified woman brazenly opening ackee pods with a knife in a public area, hiding her actions behind a cardboard box.

The exact location of where the act took place is not clear, but it was recorded by a man who appeared to be seated in a motor vehicle nearby.

Eating ackees from unopened pods can be deadly, as the fruit contains a toxic compound called hypoglycin.

The video went viral on Sunday, and has since ignited a firestorm on social media platforms, with many individuals expressing horror at the woman's reckless behaviour. 

"She (the unidentified woman in the video) should be prosecuted," declared former Custos of Manchester and former Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) caretaker-candidate for Central Manchester, Sally Porteous, on X (formerly Twitter).

"That woman should be behind bars already. Her actions here pose direct threat to the life of the public," said another female X user.

"How can someone risk the life of others like this to make money? This sort of selfish behaviour is too rampant in society. I am disgusted!" another woman commented.

Well-known biologist Damion Whyte, who also shared the video on his X platform, said the practice by the woman is "very dangerous and may result in the metabolic syndrome known as 'Jamaican vomiting sickness'."

He added that, "Clinical manifestations may include profuse vomiting, altered mental status, and hypoglycemia. Severe cases have been reported to cause seizures, hypothermia, coma, and death."

The point was reiterated in a May 4, 2016 press release from the Ministry of Health and Wellness, which quoted then Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr Winston De La Haye, as stating that only fit and well opened ackees are to be used by householders. 

“Ackee should be allowed to open naturally and fully on the tree before it is picked and eaten or sold.  

"They should not be opened by force, or by using a knife, or any other implement. If not properly ripened, ackee contains high levels of a toxin called hypoglycin, which can potentially lead to death if consumed,” De La Haye said then.

The Health Ministry said then that symptoms of ackee poisoning include vomiting, stomach cramps or abdominal pain, dizziness, diarrhoea and sweating. 

On Instagram, the unknown woman's act attracted even further condemnation as some persons said such practices are making it difficult for local vendors to get support.

"This is why people stop support small folks enuh! Don't get me wrong; not all are bad, but stuff like this... This greed and wicked heart Jamaican people develop... really mek mi 'fraid fi buy even a peanut cake from 'Nutsy'," a male Instagrammer wrote.

Added another: "Hope they find her (the woman in the video) asap and confiscate those ackees before anyone buy them."

A man asked: "Then the man who a video couldn't shout out and raise one alarm man?"

Commented another user: "Premediated mass murder this... Life without the possibility of even seeing through a window; mek she face harsher punishment than Alice." 

The 'Alice' reference is in reference to Alice Waugh, the crab vendor who was seen in a viral video wiping herself after having defecated inside a stall close to food items that were being sold at Crab Circle at Heroes Circle in Kingston in October of last year.

In September of this year, another female vendor was charged after the circulation of a video of her urinating in a bottle near the Charles Gordon Market in Montego Bay, St James.

Among the offences for which she was booked was having no food handler's permit.