Let’s find common ground on front-ofpackage labelling

THE EDITOR, Madam:

JAMAICA’S APPROACH to reduce the prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), like many of our other development issues, requires private-public sector partnership to ensure that the right balance between economic development and a healthy and productive population is realised.

The private sector, inclusive of civil society, has always risen to the challenge to find amenable solutions to our nation’s problems, and the matter of front-of-package labelling should be no exception. The Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ) for the past three years has been a part of the deliberations and is aligned with the viewpoint that has always been put forward by the trade and industry – front-of-package labelling (FOPL) is important for consumers to better identify healthy products. The point of divergence has only been what model(s) is most suitable for CARICOM and why one model, tied to Chile, to which there is limited trade, is the only choice. We have learnt in the past that onesize-fits-all or broad-brush approach to problems are not most successful options. We must be mindful of and fully consider our own local and regional realities and uniqueness and develop solutions accordingly.

Despite the divergence in opinion on this matter, the private sector must be seen as part of the solution, as we have been for other health, social and economic challenges regionally. Most local manufacturers have proactively taken a shift towards responsible production and marketing across varying industries that have an impact on public health. They have also been a part of the multidimensional response and continue to propose this approach to addressing NCDs and FOPL with our respective local authorities.

The private sector has consistently advocated for balancing economic and health interests while ensuring minimal disruption to intraregional trade and fostering a level playing field for our companies to compete. We are not of the view that the adoption of the Chilean High-In Octagon model with PAHO thresholds as the sole option will accomplish this balance. There are many other FOPL models that are aligned with the Caribbean’s major trading partners. With this understanding, we suggest that the next step be to encourage companies to voluntarily start incorporating the various FOPL which best suits their business model, and together as private and civil society along with the Government of Jamaica commence the educational campaign to enhance consumer literacy around them. Let us utilise the combined resources available, to find common ground and benefit our people on both the economic and health front.

IMEGA BREESE MCNAB Executive Director

The Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica