Labelling concerns discussed at Food Law Conference

The removal and or manipulation of labels on food products was amongst the issues to be discussed during the second annual Barbados Food Law and Industry Conference, held yesterday at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre.

Acknowledging the serious health threats to consumers, Attorney-at-Law, Susan Sealy, and founder of the Genesis Law Chambers which hosted the conference, added that event would examine recent product recalls, issues relating to inconsistencies with food labels, and labels which cannot be clearly understood and read.

“There has been some observance that importers and distributors have been selling products in packages with languages that cannot be read or understood. However, consumers have the right to autonomy, and should be in a position to understand the products they are purchasing,” the Attorney stated.

She cautioned that the Barbadian economy was too reliant on imported goods, and could therefore be seriously impacted as a result of the continued influx of product recalls off supermarket shelves, sometimes months after they were recalled by the exporting country.

Sealy contended that there was a need for a proper legal framework to address the issues, by combining the expertise of scientists, lawyers and regulators within the food industry.

Sealy explained that the conference, which attracted delegates from California, Iowa, North Carolina, Florida, Trinidad and Barbados, was designed to foster greater participation and dialogue between stakeholders, including food producers, manufacturers, food organisations and Government, to promote sustainable policies of food safety for all consumers.

In addition, it is also designed to create an awareness of food-related problems, motivate commitment at the highest level for their solutions, and promote better management of food within the industry.

A Product Development Competition, co-ordinated by Dr. Cheryl Rock, Assistant Professor of Food Science at the California State University in the USA ,was also held during the conference, under the theme, “Out with the Old and In with the New: No Added Sugars”.

Sealy explained that contestants from the California State University, Long Beach, the University of the Southern Caribbean, the UWI, Cave Hill Campus and the UWI St. Augustine campus, would provide a product to be displayed and judged. Participants also received valuable information, on how to improve on their products.