SIA directs Pan Caribbean Sugar Company to implement immediate corrective measures

The Sugar Industry Authority (SIA) has directed Pan Caribbean Sugar Company, PCSC to implement immediate corrective measures, including the strengthening of contaminant control systems.

This after a preliminary laboratory test identified metal fragments in samples of that brand of sugar purchased at retail outlets.

The Health Ministry has advised the public not to consume packaged sugar produced by the Pan Caribbean Sugar Company. An immediate stop order has been placed on the production, distribution and sale of all Pan Caribbean Sugar products.

The SIA says it also directed Pan Caribbean to implement, enhanced monitoring and verification of finished products and other necessary interventions to ensure compliance with required standards.

Resumption of normal operations will be subject to verification and approval by the relevant authorities.

The SIA says compliance is being closely monitored and enhanced oversight will be maintained to ensure adherence to required standards.

The authority states that to further safeguard product quality and strengthen regulatory effectiveness, it has commenced and will continue to implement four enhanced oversight measures.

These are expanded inspection and monitoring activities across all facilities, the introduction of targeted procedures to support the detection of physical contaminants, enhanced quality assurance and verification protocols and increased frequency of sampling and independent testing.

In outlining how it has been addressing the issue , the SIA explains that after it became aware of the concern, a technical team was deployed to the PCSC facility in Frome, Westmoreland to conduct an on-site inspection and commence a formal investigation. Samples collected from the facility were analysed at the SIA’s central laboratory.

Additional sampling was undertaken at the other sugar manufacturing facility on the island and subjected to similar analyses.

The investigation remains ongoing, with additional samples being collected and assessed.

The SIA adds that initial findings identified gaps under current inspection conditions within certain aspects of the manufacturing and packaging processes at the PCSC facility, particularly in relation to contaminant control systems.

Trace levels of metallic particles were detected in some samples; these findings are being further assessed.

The authority has engaged the company’s senior management and has initiated steps for further coordination with the health ministry and the national compliance and regulatory authority to take additional actions, if necessary.