Jamaica's Sugar Industry Authority (SIA) has directed Pan Caribbean Sugar Company (PCSC) to implement immediate corrective measures, including the strengthening of its contaminant control systems, after preliminary laboratory tests identified metal fragments in samples of the company's sugar purchased from retail outlets, IRIE FM reported.

The Health Ministry has advised the public not to consume any packaged sugar produced by PCSC and has placed an immediate stop order on the production, distribution, and sale of all Pan Caribbean Sugar products. Resumption of normal operations will be subject to verification and approval by the relevant authorities.

The SIA said it had also directed the company to implement enhanced monitoring and verification of finished products, along with any other necessary interventions to ensure compliance with required standards. The authority said compliance was being closely monitored and that enhanced oversight would be maintained.

In describing how it responded to the issue, the SIA said that upon becoming aware of the concern, it deployed a technical team to PCSC’s facility in Frome, Westmoreland to conduct an on-site inspection and begin a formal investigation. Samples collected at the facility were analysed at the SIA’s central laboratory, and additional sampling was undertaken at the island’s other sugar manufacturing facility for similar analysis.

Initial findings identified gaps 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, and the authority said these findings were being further assessed. The investigation remains ongoing, with additional samples continuing to be collected and examined.

The SIA said it had engaged PCSC’s senior management and had initiated steps for further coordination with the Health Ministry and the National Compliance and Regulatory Authority to take additional action if necessary.

To further safeguard product quality and strengthen regulatory effectiveness, the authority said it had commenced four enhanced oversight measures across the industry: expanded inspection and monitoring activities at all facilities, the introduction of targeted procedures to support detection of physical contaminants, enhanced quality assurance and verification protocols, and increased frequency of sampling and independent testing.