Public warned not to buy Portland Best juices

DRINK PRODUCTS bearing the label Portland Best have been found to contain an unusually high amount of bacteria that could be harmful to humans if consumed. As such, the Portland Health Department has ordered the closure of the bottling facility, said Dr Sharon Lewis, the medical officer for health in the parish.

The North East Regional Health Authority has also advised the public to avoid purchasing or consuming the products, and has ordered the contaminated Portland Best items be removed from supermarket and wholesale shelves.

“We came across the entity and our subsequent investigation showed that they were not certified by the health department to be bottling products for human consumption,” said Lewis.

“They did not come through our system in terms of certification, and so the due process is to issue an order of closure on the business.”

BREACHES AT PRODUCTION SITE

Portland Best bottles coconut water, sorrel juice and other natural juices for the local market.

Lewis said that the Portland Health Department has found that the products were unsafe for consumption and that several breaches that could compromise the health of the public were also found at the production site.

Additionally, the public is reminded to purchase and consume food products from only approved establishments (those certified by the Public Health Department).

Lewis told The Gleaner that court action has been taken against the operators of Portland Best and that it was vital that they seek approval before undergoing any production.