FOOD STORAGE AND PREVENTION OF INFESTATION DIVISION

PERFORMANCE FOR FINANCIAL YEAR 2009/2010 AND FOCUS FOR FINANCIAL YEAR 2010/2011

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 2009/2010 Financial Year and its focus for the 2010/2011 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.

4.0 Highlights of Achievements for the 2009/2010 Financial Year (April 09- February 10)

4.1 Entomology

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

1. Insect monitoring and trapping in warehouses
2. Competence/assessment for testing laboratory accreditation
3. Production/distribution of technical paper on split ginger processing and storage
4. Testing of seven hundred and thirty-eight (738) food/feed samples.
5. Investigating the efficacy of insecticide used by the Inspectorate Unit for fumigation trials (insect bioassays)
6. Conducting germination trials in collaboration with Bodles Agricultural Station and the Jamaica Livestock Association
7. Presenting a scientific paper at the Jamaica Society of Agricultural Scientists on Food Safety

Test Services Performed (Total)

Moisture content determination (246)

Insect count and identification (243)

Fragment analyses and extraneous matter (249)

Total 738

Number of sample reports 224

The percentage of samples from major client groups for routine laboratory analyses include: distributors 50.2%, manufacturers/processors 8%, other mills 9.6%, animal feed mills 24.8% and insect identification 7.4%.

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:

• Seven (17) rodent control programmes was implemented
• One hundred and thirteen (113) inspections conducted
• Three thousand five and forty (3,040) bait stations set
• Fifty seven (57) analyses in areas including breeding programmes, rodenticide evaluations and species identification tests
• Sixteen (16) lectures conducted with one hundred and eleven (111) persons trained
• One thousand five hundred and fifty-two (1,552) individuals /companies received consultations.

 

4.3 Microbiology

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

• Two thousand and nineteen (2,019) samples were received and six thousand six hundred and ninety (6,690) tests carried out for bacteria and fungi.
• One (1) warehouse was visited.

4.4 Pesticide Residue

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

As from April 2009, the unit began to participate in a three-year regional project (RLA 5053) supported by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), through their joint FAO/IAEA programme of nuclear techniques in food and agriculture. The objective of the project is to apply a diagnosis system for evaluating the impact of pesticide contamination in food and environmental compartments. So far the unit has participate in three of the regional activities and is preparing for participation in others in 2010. The Division will host the final meeting with participants from about 18 countries in 2011.

The unit is actively involved in the Codex subcommittee on pesticide residues which is chaired by the registrar of the Pesticides Control Authority of the Ministry of Health.

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

Pesticide Laboratory Work

Tests	Output No. of samples
Pesticide Residue	189
Mycotoxin	39
Other chemical analyses	10
Total	238

4.5 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 having an outpost in Montego Bay has resulted in one thousand seven hundred and forty-two (1,742) food establishments being inspected to date. The quantity of food inspected was 375,373.36 metric tonnes valued at J$2,340.86 Million.

The following represents a summary of activity for the unit:

Inspections 13,813

• Samples submitted 641
• Disinfestation operations 1,050
• Food condemned (metric tonnes) 27.4
• Export certificates issued 641

 

4.6 Training and Information

Organization/Programme Persons Trained

(a) Pest Management 33

(b) HACCP 5

(c) Farmer Training (Fresh cut callaloo) 30

(d) Consumer Affairs Commission 40

(e) Craft & Agro production 46

(f) General fumigation training of Pest Control Operators/Companies 5

• Training involved pest management and good food storage practices.
• Preparation/distribution of two thousand eight hundred and six (2,806) brochures
• Dissemination of information on pest management and food storage
• Update of website
• Attended inter-agency meetings/seminars on pest control and food safety (e.g.) with National Environment Protection Agency, Food Safety Committee & National Food Nutrition Coordinating Committee of Jamaica (NFNCCJ).

For the period under review one thousand six hundred and sixteen (1,616) 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:

• Coordinated and staged FSPID exhibition at JAS Agricultural show at Denbigh, RADA Production and Marketing Organization (PMO) Conference & Exhibition (Trelawny), Two 4-H Exhibitions (Clarendon and Nyammins & Jammins in Montego Bay).
• Conducted four training programmes in HACCP, ECO2Fume, Integrated Commodity and Integrated Pest Management. Gave lecture at Consumer Affairs Commission on “Contaminants in Foods”.
• Coordinated two Post-Harvest workshops on Fresh Cut Callaloo.
• Participated in four radio interviews; Two on Power 106FM while at PMO Conference and Nyammins & Jammins, on RJR “Hotline” with Barbara Gloudon and on Nationwide ”At Your Service” with Garth Williams.
• Prepared news releases for two incidents of contaminated food items detained and dumped by the division.
• We also participated in the Denbigh Agricultural Show held August 1-3, 2009
• Give three lectures (Kingston, St. Ann & Portland) to Craft & Agro production group on functions of the Division and Pest Management at Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC) seminar sponsored by the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB).

 

4.7 Details of Performance for Financial Year 2009/2010

Table 1: Indicators of Performance

ACTIVITIES	TOTAL
No. of inspections (Table 2 for details)	13,813
No. of samples taken	641
Quantities of commodities inspected	512,722.48 MT
Quantity condemned	27.4
No. of Condemnation Notices	3
No. of Release Notice	25
No. of Detention Notices	54
No. of Other Notices	561
No. of export fumigations	648
No. of tyre fumigations	18
No. of local fumigations	246
No. of misting operations	3
No. of spraying operations	132
No. of disinfestation operations	1,050
No. of rodent control programmes	3

Table 2: Inspections (Financial Year 2009/2010)

LOCATION	TOTAL
Government Food Store	6
Statutory Bodies	17
Bonded Warehouses	9
Wharves	5
Ships	57
Containers	10,010
Break bulk consignments	841
Hospitals/Health Centres	8
Schools	11
Pest Control Operators	2
Produce Dealers	1
Correctional Centres	5
Distributors	173
Supermarkets and wholesalers	1,519
Bakeries	164
Grain and Farm Stores	82
Mills	14
Factories	61
Spice Dealers	9
Restaurants	674
Hotels	94
Others	51
TOTAL	13,813

4.8 Summary of Performance

In relation to laboratory accreditation, a comprehensive quality manual has been developed along with subfolders for each laboratory/unit. These are now being used for internal auditing. The accreditation process is approximately ninety percent (90%) complete and will soon be submitted to the local accreditation body.

Achievements are as follows:

Total no. of samples submitted – 2,701

Total no. of tests done – 7,666

Total quantity of food inspected – 512,722.48 MT

Total no. of statutory notices - 643

Total no. of rodent treatment/premises – 2,593

Total no.206 of persons trained and consultations – 1,541

Total of brochures 2,806 distributed to 1,036 persons

Total no. of fumigations – 1,050

Total no. of spraying/misting operations – 135

4.9 Post-harvest Unit

Cyanide Content in Cassava

Over 15 varieties of cassava grown locally were processed into cassava meal and evaluated for total cyanide content. The total cyanide content in these varieties range from 150 - 74 ppm for bitter varieties to 10-27 ppm for sweet varieties.

Four brands of bammies and one brand of cassava flour taken from supermarket shelves were also evaluated. The cyanide content of these products range from 100-150 ppm which suggests that the bitter varieties of cassava were used to produce these cassava products. The levels of cyanogen exceed the standard of 10 ppm as stipulated by WHO.

The training of 30 farmers on good practices for fresh- cut callaloo processing.

Revenue earned: Seven Million, Seven Hundred and Thirty-Four Thousand, Seventy-Four Dollars and Eighty-Eight Cents ($7,734,072.88)

5.0 Strategic Focus for Financial Year 2010/2011

The primary objective for Financial Year 2010/2011 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 system.

This methodology will shift the focus of the management of chemical, physical and biological hazards that affect food products, away from costly end-product inspection and testing to the more rigorous stage-by-stage management of food processing activities. 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.

One Stop Shop

The concept of a “One Stop Shop” came out of state efforts in recent years to streamline and coordinate activities in respect of food safety in Jamaica.

Thus the One Stop Shop is aimed at providing common office space for the three (3) state regulators of imported food (Ministry of Health, Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce through the FSPID), with electronic linkages between the three (3) agencies and the Customs Department. This is intended to increase efficiency and effectiveness in the use of resources (especially human resources) at the ports of entry while providing importers with easier access to regulators, thereby minimizing bureaucracy and consequent delays in processing of imported foods. To date inspectors are stationed at the One Stop Shop on a daily basis.

The Division has provided chairmanship to the committee responsible for setting up the One Stop Shop and continues to play an important roll in the process.

6.0 Summary of the Main Programmes for Financial Year 2010/2011

6.1 Inspection and Disinfestations

1. Inspections for food safety and wholesomeness and compliance with the Food Storage and Prevention of Infestation Act
2. Sampling for laboratory evaluation, the results of which are used for decision-making
3. Disinfestations of food and food storage structures
4. Rodent baiting

6.2 Training, Information and Public Relations

The following will be the areas of focus:

1. Educating the public for compliance with the requirements of the Food Storage and Prevention of Infestation Act
2. Stored product management
3. Pesticide management in food
4. Rodent biology and control
5. HACCP- based programmes.

6.3 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 to support regulatory activities.

6.4 Entomology

1. The laboratory is in the process of obtaining international accreditation
2. Routine sample testing will continue
3. Research initiatives will be increased to provide scientific support to the regulatory activities.

6.5 Contaminant Analysis

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

6.6 Microbiology

1. Routine monitoring of imported processed food
2. Routine monitoring of bulk grains and raw materials
3. Establishment of CARICOM Standards and Code of Hygiene Practice for bottled coconut water.
4. Monitoring coliform contamination of cured spices such as ginger and pimento.

7.0 Budgetary Allocation

For Financial Year 2009/2010, budgetary allocation for recurrent expenditure was one hundred and fifteen million, one hundred and thirteen thousand dollars ($115,113,000).

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