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Second Quarter Report


 

 

MINISTERIAL REPORT TO PARLIAMENT ON THE PERFORMANCE OF THE FOOD STORAGE AND PREVENTION OF INFESTATION DIVISION
FOR FINANCIAL YEAR 2012/2013 AND FOCUS FOR FINANCIAL YEAR 2013/2014 

 

  • Introduction

This document is intended to inform Parliament and the public about the performance of the Food Storage and Prevention of Infestation Division (FSPID) for the 2012/2013 Financial Year and its focus for the 2013/2014 Financial Year.

2.0       Mission

The mission of the Division is to ensure the safety and wholesomeness of food/feed entering commerce, through application of sound scientific principles in a timely and professional manner, so limiting consumption of potentially harmful food/feed.

3.0       Functions

The role of the Division is to carry out the Government’s programme of surveillance and regulation of the food industry to ensure the safety and wholesomeness of food/feed entering commerce.  The Division carries out the functions of:  inspection, sampling, disinfestations, laboratory tests, training and research into problems of post harvest/crops/stored-products management, pesticides and biological toxin management.

 

  • Highlights of Achievements for the 2012/2013 Financial Year (April 2012-March 2013)
                                                                             
    4.1       Entomology

In addition to routine sample testing, research into stored products and entomological problems was undertaken.  Areas of research included:

  • Insect monitoring and trapping in warehouses
  • Competence/assessment for testing laboratory accreditation
  • Testing of six hundred thirty-nine (639) food/feed samples.
  • Investigating the efficacy of insecticide used by the Inspectorate Unit  for fumigation trials (insect bioassays)
Test Services Performed  Total
Moisture content determination   270
Insect count and identification 285
Fragment analyses and extraneous matter 257
Total    812
Number of sample reports  169

The percentage of samples from major client groups for routine laboratory analyses are: distributors 45%, manufacturers/processors 18%, other mills (rice, flour textured vegetables protein) 7%, animal feed mills 24% and insect identification 6%.  

4.2       Rodent Biology and Control

The effort to prevent and mitigate rodent infestation in food/feed stores, post offices, prisons and hospitals continued islandwide. Assistance was also provided to other institutions on request.

During the review period, stakeholders in the food industry were empowered through various training programmes and consultations, to take responsibility for rodent control through proper environmental management.

The following operational activities were undertaken:

  • Twenty-three (23) rodent control programmes was implemented
  • Fifty-six (56) inspections conducted
  • Three thousand and seventy-six (3,076) bait stations set
  • One hundred and thirty-one (131) analyses in areas including breeding programmes, rodenticide evaluations and species identification tests
  • Eleven (11) lectures conducted with two hundred and seventy six (276) persons trained
  • Four thousand eight hundred and thirty (4830) individuals /companies received consultations.
  • Participation in the inter-ministerial committee for the “Keep Jamaica Clean Campaign” as technical advisor on rodent control and sanitation programme.

4.3 Microbiology

Analyses of food samples submitted by inspectors and private entities were carried out, as indicated below, in an effort to identify contaminating stored-product microorganisms.

  • One thousand four hundred and fifty-nine (1,459) samples were received and four thousand five hundred and ninety-one (4,591) tests carried out for bacteria and fungi.
  • Two (2) warehouses were visited.

4.4     Pesticide Residues

Apart from routine pesticide residue, mycotoxin and other chemical analyses, the unit is involved in other activities to enhance laboratory capabilities and public awareness.

The unit continues to interact with other research and educational institutions to promote the work done in the unit.

Pesticide Laboratory Work  

Tests

Output No. of samples

Pesticide Residue

4

Mycotoxin

  206

Other chemical analyses

5

Rancidity

-

Total

215

Total no. of samples received

192

4.5   Post Harvest & Unit
 
Shelf-life Study and Sensory Evaluation on Peeled Sugar Cane
 
Study Objective:

To determine the shelf life of peeled packaged sugar cane
To determine if there’s any physical, chemical or sensory changes within the four groups of samples during the period of study.

     Duration of Study: 30 days (private client)
     Company: Saint Mary’s Sugar Cane
        

   POSTHARVEST TRAINING

The unit conducted a two-day fresh produce training workshop for supermarket fresh produce handlers. Eight (8) lectures and two audio-visual presentations were done. Forty (40) participants were trained in the following:

  • Post Harvest overview
  • Post Harvest  deterioration
  • Maturity  and Maturity Indices
  • Sanitation, Workers Health and Hygiene
  • Processing of Fresh Produce
  • Packaging of Fresh Produce
  • Storage of Fresh Produce
  • Post Harvest recommendation

 

4.6       Inspectorate and Disinfestation Unit

Surveillance and regulatory activities were maintained to ensure that only safe and wholesome food reaches the consumer. This is done through inspections, sampling and disinfestations.

FSPID office in Montego Bay

The strategic move of increasing the numbers of inspectors at the outpost in Montego Bay to cover the parishes of Hanover, Westmoreland, St. James and Trelawny have resulted in two thousand five hundred and three (2,503) food establishments being inspected to date. The quantity of food inspected was 31,178.92 metric tonnes valued at J$2,951.82 Million.

One Stop Shop

The One Stop Shop commenced operations on June 23, 2009`, where the Division inspected 401 containers of assorted groceries and also processed import documentation. The One Stop Shop is operating effectively with two Food Storage Inspectors being assigned there on a daily basis to attend to the needs of the public.

 

The following represents a summary of activity for the unit:

Inspections 14,947
Samples submitted 846
Disinfestation operations 1,628
Food condemned (metric tonnes) 59.82
Export certificates issued 528

  

4.7       Training and Information

Organization/Programme  Persons Trained
(a) Public Health/Utech 21 
(b) H.D Hopwood 75
(c) FSPID Staff Members-  ISO Audit 11
(d) Grain Farmers Seminar 103
(e) Carib Agro Distributors Seminar 55
(f ) Post Harvest workshop 40
  • Training involved pest management and good food storage practices.
  • Preparation/distribution of five thousand two and fifty (5,250) brochures
  • Dissemination of information on pest management and food safety and storage
  • Update of website
  • Attended inter-agency meetings/seminars on pest control and food safety (e.g.) with Food Safety Committee & National Food Nutrition Coordinating Committee of Jamaica (NFNCCJ).

For the period under review approximately one thousand four hundred (1,400) Food establishments have been issued with certifications of compliance in accordance with the Act and Regulations.

We were also involved in other activities such as:

  • Officers from the Division gave a short lecture at Meadowbrook High School on their career day on April 3rd. Two other short lectures were given at Meadowbrook’s Career exhibition on April 19th. Over 400 students visited the booth, where 250 brochures were distributed.
  • The Division participated at the SRC Career Day exhibition held at the Jamaica College Auditorium on April 3rd. Over 700 persons visited the booth. Approximately 400 brochures distributed.
  • On April 9th Easter Monday the Division participated in two Agricultural Shows, at the Montpellier Agriculture show, St. James, over 600 persons visited the booth and approximately 350 brochures were distributed, at Gray’s Inn Sports complex in St. Mary saw fewer persons because of inclement weather.

Approximately 300 persons visited the booth and 150 brochures were distributed.

  • On April 26th the Division participated in the Kingston and St. Andrew, Jamaica Agricultural Society Agricultural Show on Saturday, at Jamaica College grounds. Over 400 persons visited the booth and approximately 350 brochures distributed.
  • On April 26th-29th the Division participated in the JMA/JEA Expo. Approximately 700 visitors passed through the booth. Approximately 800 brochures were distributed.
  • On August 4th - 6th the Division participated at the Annual Denbigh Agricultural show where approximately 500 persons visited the FSPID booth over the three days of the show, approximately 1,500 brochures were distributed.
  • The Division coordinated and conducted Grain Seminars entitled “Proper Handling and Storage of Grain” for farmers in Aboukir, Browns Town and Claremont, St. Ann. The seminars were held on September 20th, 27th and October 4th respectively with one hundred and three farmers in attendance.
  • The Division conducted Postharvest Workshop on the Handling of Fresh Agricultural Produce on November 28&29 (in-house) where 40 persons were in attendance.
  • On December 7,8&15 the Division coordinated Food Safety Public Awareness Exhibitions held at the Shopper’s Fair-Portmore, Shopper’s Fair– Mandeville and Michi’s supermarkets respectively. Approximately 1,200 brochures were distributed to 300 customers at these locations.
  • Officers from the Division attended a five-day Trainer-the Trainers programme in Good Agricultural Practices from February 18 to 22. The programme was conducted by the Joint Institute for Food Safety and Nutrition from the University of Maryland in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries and the Jamaica Social Investment Fund. The programme, was endorsed by the FDA, and focused on food safety issues as it relates to the Food Safety Modernization Act.
  • Miss Tamara Morrison represented Jamaica as the sole delegate at the 34th session of the Codex Committee on Methods of Analysis and Sampling (CCMAS) which took place in Budapest, Hungary on March 4-8, 2013. A report is currently being worked on.

 

4.8       Details of Performance for Financial Year 2012/2013

Table 1: Indicators of Performance (Montego Bay)

ACTIVITIES

TOTAL

No. of inspections (Table 2 for details)

2,503

No. of samples taken

-

Quantities of commodities inspected

31178.92 MT

Quantity condemned

4.79 MT

No. of Condemnation Notices

4

No. of Release Notice

4

No. of Detention Notices

7

No. of Other Notices

160

No. of export fumigations

-

No. of tyre fumigations

-

No. of local fumigations

1

No. of mistings

1

No. of spraying operations

141

No. of rodent control programmes

48

No. of disinfestation operations

279

 

Table 2:  Inspections

LOCATION

TOTAL

Government Food Store

-

Wharves

-

Containers

986

Break bulk consignments

532

Hospitals/Health Centres

2

School

37

Pest Control Operators

-

Produce Dealers

-

Correctional Centres

-

Distributors

58

Supermarkets and wholesalers

495

Bakeries

47

Grain and Farm Stores

30

Factories

8

Restaurants

189

Hotels

67

Others

52

TOTAL

2,503

 

4.9       Summary of Performance (FSPID)

We are updating and reviewing the files to reflect the personnel changes and alternation in certain methodologies that shows current trends in the accreditation process. New members of staff are also being trained to use the systems so that they understand how to apply standard procedures.

 Achievements are as follows:

Total no. of samples submitted – 2,053
Total no. of tests done – 5,445
Total quantity of food inspected – 676223.74 MT
Total no. of statutory notices issued - 873
Total no. of rodent treatment/premises – 3,076
Total no.305 of persons trained
Total no. of consultations – 4,867
Total of brochures 5,250 distributed
Total no. of fumigations – 1,321
Total no. of spraying/misting operations – 214
Total no. of inspections - 15,227        
Total no. of reports – 443

Revenue earned:    Nine Million, Eight Hundred, Forty Seven Thousand, Two Hundred and Thirty-Eight Dollars ($9,847,238)

 

5.0       Strategic Focus for Financial Year 2013/2014

The primary objective for Financial Year 2013/2014 is to continue modernization initiatives for the Division’s operations and move towards the more scientific Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) based inspection audit system. As well as to expand the role and function of our Montego Bay Office.

In addition the Division will be focusing on having all its laboratories gaining international accreditation under the National Quality Infrastructure (NQI) Project.

The National Food Safety Compliance (NFSC) Programme will continue with the certification of Food Establishments. Establishments that are already certified will be revisited to ensure compliance.

Revision of the Act and Regulation

 

5.1        Summary of the Main Programmes for Financial Year 2013/2014

5.2       Inspection and Disinfestations

(a) Inspections for food safety and wholesomeness and compliance with the Food Storage Act

  • Sampling for laboratory evaluation, the results of which are used for decision-making
  • Disinfestations of food and food storage structures
  • Rodent baiting

5.3 Training, Information and Public Relations

The following will be the areas of focus:

  • Educating the public for compliance with the requirements of the Food Storage and Prevention of Infestation Act Regulations
  • Stored product management
  • Pesticide management in food/feed stores
  • Rodent biology and control
  • HACCP- based programmes.

                                                                                    

5.4  Rodent Biology and Control

Plans are in place to increase the number of rodent control programmes islandwide, as well as the number of consultations with private businesses, individuals, and community organizations.

The rodent breeding programme for research purposes will be improved.  Emphasis will be placed on the evaluation of rodenticides for effectiveness and environmental concerns.
 

5.5 Entomology

 (a) The laboratory is in the process of obtaining international accreditation

  • Routine sample testing will continue
  • Research initiatives will be increased to provide scientific support to the regulatory activities.

 

5.6 Pesticide Residue & Mycotoxin

  • Routine testing for levels of pesticides on/in foods destined for the export and local markets
  • Routine testing for additives above acceptable levels
  • Routine testing for mycotoxins on legumes, especially peanuts and animal feeds.
  • Training of farmers

 

6.6       Microbiology

(a) Routine monitoring of imported processed food

  • Routine monitoring of bulk grains and raw materials
  • Establishment of CARICOM Standards and Code of Hygiene Practice for bottled coconut water.
  • Monitoring coliform contamination of cured spices such as ginger and pimento.

7.0       Budgetary Allocation

For Financial Year 2012/2013, budgetary allocation for recurrent expenditure was
one hundred and thirty-three million, nine hundred and ninety five dollars ($133,995,000.00).  For Financial Year 2013/2014, the proposed budgetary allocation for recurrent expenditure is $128,898,000.00.  

 

           


 

 

 

 

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