Health Ministry Warns Public to Avoid Pan Caribbean Sugar Over Contamination Concerns

Consumers across Jamaica are being advised to immediately stop using packaged sugar produced by Pan Caribbean Sugar Company following reports of possible contamination.

The advisory, issued Thursday by the Ministry of Health and Wellness, comes after preliminary laboratory testing detected the presence of metal fragments in samples obtained from retail outlets. Officials caution that consumption of the affected product could present a serious health risk.

Authorities are urging members of the public to dispose of any such sugar safely and to monitor official updates as investigations continue.

In response to the findings, an immediate halt has been placed on the production, distribution, and sale of all products from the company. The manufacturing facility, located in Frome, Westmoreland, had already been ordered closed by public health inspectors prior to the latest development.

The Ministry confirmed that further testing is ongoing and stated that additional guidance will be issued once it is determined that the product meets safety standards.

Regional attention has also been drawn to the issue, with the Cayman Islands Department of Environmental Health issuing its own alert regarding the recall of the company’s packaged brown sugar.

Meanwhile, Dr. Velton Gooden, Executive Director of the Bureau of Standards Jamaica, confirmed that an active probe is underway into the contamination reports.