Summary:
This law prescribes general requirements in relation to processed food, including their manufacturing or handling. It was amended in 2012.
Description:
The law forms the basis for the rule around the manufacture, preparation, processing, packaging, storage, and sale of processed foods in Jamaica. It also includes import and export products.
For the purpose of FULL, this law provides definitions on the following (s.2):
- food: it “includes every article used for food or drink by man and every ingredient intended for mixing with the food or drink of man for any purpose”;
- label: “it included any legend, word, or mark attached to, included in, belonging to, or accompanying any prescribed food or the container of such food”;
- pack: “it means to put into a container”;
- processed: it “means preheated, cooked, canned, preserved, condensed, evaporated, fermented, distilled, carbonated, dehydrated, milled, frozen or otherwise processed”.
Moreover, establishes requirements for the safety and quality of processed foods. There are also requirements that labeling and packaging cannot be false, misleading or deceptive (s.7).
In addition, the it sets out provisions for its administration and enforcement (s.9-14).
The Act was amended in 2012 to increase penalties for violations and gives the Minister powers to adjust monetary penalties.Regulations enacted under the Processed Food Act include: Processed Food (Inspection and Sampling) Regulations, 1959; Processed Food (Establishments) Regulations, 1959; Processed Food (Fees) Regulations, 1985; Processed Food (Prepared Syrups) Regulations, 1974; Processed Food (Exemption) Regulations, 2002; Processed Food (Grades and Standards) Regulations, 1964, amended in 2018.