For the last two weeks, Barbados Free Press and at least one other Bajan blog (Bajan Reporter – articles here and here) have been asking for the reason that our Health Ministry recalled / condemned Flavorite ice cream in Barbados. With all the talk about melamine contamination of milk products coming out of China, Bajan parents rightly were concerned about knowing the reason for the recall.
Was it bacterial contamination? Melamine? Metal shards from a broken blender? What was the reason? The notice from the Ministry of Health only stated that there was a recall – but not the reason.
Then a Flavorite representative wrote to Barbados Free Press and still didn’t provide the reason for the recall!
Now, the Ministry of Health has issued a new Flavorite ice cream recall that states the reason as “According to the Ministry, “testing of these eight flavours of icecream has confirmed bacterial contamination.”
There.
That wasn’t so difficult, was it?
Why should transparency of government be such a difficult thing in our country? The initial secrecy by the Ministry of Health is representative of an elitist attitude that permeates our government.
Well, listen to this government workers – both elected and employed….YOU WORK FOR US
Not the other way around.
Further Reading
Barbados Government Information: Removal of more Flavorite Ice Cream
BFP
Sept 27/08: Barbados Health Minister Placing Corporate Interests Ahead Of Parents’ Rights To Protect Their Children!
September 26. 2008: Flavorite Foods Replies To Barbados Free Press About Ice Cream Recall – Won’t Provide Reason For Recall !!!
September 25, 2008: Barbados Health Minister Estwick: TELL US THE TRUTH !!! Is Contaminated China Milk Powder Behind Ice Cream Recall?
July 7, 2008: Serious Public Health Questions About Barbados BICO Milk and Ice Cream
Bajan Global Report: Local Authorities/Press Too Silent On China Milk Scandal Are Barbadians Safe?
Nation News, October 3, 2008: Ice Cream Meltdown
10 Comments
October 7, 2008 at 1:58 pm
Actually I ran two BGIS releases on Flavorite
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BFP says,
Yes you did, Ian.
And the second one that contained the reason was a long time coming from the BGIS. Perhaps now that we have kicked their behinds, they may provide reasons for all future recalls.
Or not. One can never tell because THERE ARE NO RULES FOR GOVERNMENT FREEDOM OF INFORMATION.
Sorry to shout, but some of the folks reading about all this don’t yet realise how paternal the government workers are.
October 7, 2008 at 2:07 pm
This is a world wide problem. Recently, I sent an e-mail to one of the largest supermarket chains in Canada to ask where an ingredient in a powdered Hot Chocolate Mix, comes from. This ingredient is listed on the container as “modified milk ingredients” with no country of origin. I am still waiting for a response and will pursue this doggedly until I get an answer.
October 7, 2008 at 4:56 pm
Folks you must know that Government’s PR arm BGIS has its own internal issues dealing with, has a new CIO been appointed yet?
October 7, 2008 at 4:57 pm
Anyone know?
October 7, 2008 at 9:28 pm
China just ein ready: http://www.thestar.com/News/World/article/513374
October 8, 2008 at 4:08 am
Is Chefette’s ice cream from Flavorite?
October 8, 2008 at 11:59 am
J
Good question. I know they changed from Bico to a Trinidad ice cream. I may be wrong but I think it is Flavorite.
October 10, 2008 at 2:38 am
was Bico tested?
January 4, 2009 at 1:28 pm
[...] Oct 7, 2008 – Tainted Ice Cream: Barbados Health Ministry Learns A Lesson (Hopefully) [...]
March 15, 2009 at 12:56 am
[...] Barbados Free Press October 7, 2008: Tainted Ice Cream: Barbados Health Ministry Learns A Lesson (Hopefully) [...]