The Year 2017 has started out well with consumer confidence remaining high in Jamaica.
It is our mandate to increase consumer confidence by giving consumers power in making the right decisions when purchasing their goods and services. This year the Commission will focus our energies on thematic drives to complement the overarching theme for 2017 on information empowerment.
The Commission is aware of concerns with the information being provided on products sold in Jamaica. In particular, the content of sugar in juices and sodas is of particular concern and the Commission is determined to hold the providers of these products accountable.
As part of that focus, the Commission will continue to work diligently with the Bureau of Standards Jamaica and the National Compliance and Regulatory Authority to ensure that consumers have all the information they need on a product when making purchases.
We are aware of the lingering grievances the effects of the purchase of ‘bad gas’ has had on consumers over the material period December 2015 to April 2016 and continue to meet with the major stakeholders in the petroleum industry in arriving at an amicable solution to consumers.
We are also aware of persons who have expressed concern with certain products, for instance those concerning alleged ‘plastic rice’, which had the Commission, in collaboration with the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, the Bureau of Standards Jamaica, the Jamaica Customs Agency and the Ministry of Health, exercised in tracking down the source of such plastic rice and taking the necessary steps in dealing with same.
We are confident that the Jamaican providers of goods and services will co-operate with our drives as we all work together in an empowerment partnership.
I wish you all a healthy and prosperous New Year 2017.
Chairman of the Consumer Affairs Commission
Kent Gammon
