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FRONT OF PACKAGE LABELLING

February 19, 2025
Industry Updates
2 min read

For the past six (6) years, Members States in the CARICOM Region have been reviewing and commenting on the CROSQ FDCRS 5 Labelling of Foods-Pre-packaged Foods-Specification. This Standard had the Octagonal Warning Label as the Front of Package Model along with the PAHO Nutrient Profile Model with the Nutrients of Concern (i.e. sodium, free sugars, other sweeteners, total fat, saturated fat and trans-fat) in the Informative Annex of the Standard.

After numerous deliberations at the local National Mirror Committee (NMC) levels, the CROSQ Regional Technical Sub-Committee levels, CARICOM Private Sector Organization (CPSO) Technical Sub-Committee Meetings, Council for Trade and Economic Development/Council for Human and Social Development (COTED/COHSOD) Meetings, and regional meetings which also included voting by Member States, on April 12, 2024, the CARICOM Regional Organization for Standards and Quality (CROSQ) Secretariat advised that the CROSQ Council at its 44th meeting on April 9, 2024, met and discussed the Regional Technical Sub-Committee’s (RTSC’s) and Technical Management Committee’s (TMC’s) unified way forward recommendation on the Draft Revision of the CARICOM Regional Standard 05: 20xx Labelling of Pre-Packaged Food – Specifications (now including FOPL) and agreed with the voluntary team of nationally recommended multisectoral subject area experts (RTSC) and the National Standards Bodies oversight/process area experts (TMC) in respect of Option 2.2 and then unanimously agreed with the same way forward process, essentially as follows:

“ CROSQ Council agreed to the removal of the FOPL references and informative annexes from the Draft Revision of the CARICOM Regional Standard 05: 20xx Labelling of Pre-Packaged Food – Specifications and recirculate for Voting, WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY requesting CARICOM to develop (or finalize and promote) a Regional NCD Policy & Strategy with a special focus on FOPL prior to the development of a dedicated regional FOPL Standard ( or Guidance document) from the New Work Item Proposal (NWIP) Stage”

The TMC will start to actively “remove the FOPL references and informative annexes from the Draft Revision of the CARICOM Regional Standard 05:20xx Labelling of Pre-Packaged Food – Specifications and recirculate for Voting” such that this important revision of the original CRS 05: 20xx can move to COTED in October 2024. For this purpose, the Chair and Vice Chair TMC will discuss this with the Technical Secretariat of the RTSC (Suriname) and we as the Secretariat will keep you informed.

The Standard without all references to FOPL was disseminated for voting on August 19, 2024, by the Chair of the Jamaican National Mirror Committee and the deadline for all Member States to submit their votes to the CROSQ Secretariat was September 17, 2024. The feedback is now being awaited regarding the final position on this Standard. The position that was always articulated by the JMEA was that the FOPL Model that needed to be included in the Standard should be that of our major trading partners i.e. US Facts UP Front and the UK Traffic Light.

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Mr. Sydney Thwaites

President

Mr. Thwaites has over 28 years of experience in financial services, petrochemicals, and consulting, with a global reach spanning the USA, Canada, Europe, Asia, and the Caribbean. He co-founded Lubricating Specialties Company Jamaica in 2015, revitalizing the local lubricant manufacturing industry. With a solid track record of organizational leadership, Mr. Thwaites has developed and negotiated long-term partnerships with major global companies, closed various debt and equity financing deals, and delivered consistent growth and returns. Known for his dynamic

leadership, trustworthy and ethical approach, and keen market understanding, he has served as CEO of LSC USA and held advisory roles with the U.S. Export-Import Bank and the Petroleum Quality Institute of America.

Licenses, Permits, and Certificates: A Quick Guide

Apply for the necessary licenses, permits, and certifications at the following Agencies:

  • Plant Quarantine Produce Inspection (PQPI) Division: Contact for exportation of agricultural produce. A certified packaging facility is required. Specifications and guidelines can be obtained from PQPI.
  • Veterinary Services Division: Contact for export permits/licenses related to the following:
    • Apicultural products
    • Bee products
    • Animals and animal by-products
  • Jamaica Agricultural Commodities Regulatory Agency (JACRA): Contact for exporting the following:
    • Coffee
    • Coconut
    • Cocoa
    • Spices (including Pimento, Nutmeg, Ginger, and Turmeric).
  • Cannabis Licensing Authority (CLA): Contact for exporting the following:
    • Cannabis
    • Hemp
  • Mines and Geology Division: Contact for exporting the following minerals:
    • Bauxite
    • Limestone
    • Aggregates
    • Gravel
    • Alumina
    • Cement
    • Rock
    • Stone
    • Soil
  • National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA): Contact for exporting the following:
    • Scrap products (metals, batteries, etc.)
    • Hazardous materials
    • Endangered species.
  • Trade Board Limited: Contact for exporting the following:
    • Scrap metal (including scrap batteries and scrap gold)
    • Coffee
    • Ammunition (explosives and firearms)
    • Plasma
    • Wood (Lignum Vitae and log wood only)
    • Jewellery (excluding those from earth metals)
    • Brown Sugar
  • Ministry of Health and Wellness: Contact for exporting pharmaceutical products.

Bureau of Standards Jamaica (BSJ): Consult with the BSJ for guidance on processed food prior to exporting. This includes information on standards, labelling and market requirements.

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