Please clarify, Wisynco
Published:Tuesday | December 17, 2019 | 12:00 AM
THE EDITOR, Madam:
We have noted advertisements in The Gleaner placed by Wisynco on November 10, 2019, outlining approved beverages for schools and specifically that Wisynco’s beverage portfolio includes “40 beverages that are within guidelines that are enforced by the Ministry of Health”.
The Interim Guidelines for Beverages in Schools was developed by the Ministry of Health and Wellness and the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information and implemented in January 2019.
The guidelines state that the following are not allowed in schools:
Sugar-sweetened beverages – for example, carbonated beverages (such as regular soda), fruit drinks, sports drinks, energy drinks, sweetened waters, and coffee and tea beverages that are above the maximum sugar concentration as set out in the implementation schedule below:
Maximum 6g/100ml – effective January 1, 2019.
Maximum 5g/100ml – effective January 1, 2020.
Maximum 4g/100ml – effective January 1, 2021.
Maximum 2.5g/100ml – effective January 1, 2023.
COMMENDABLE
It is commendable that Wisynco has taken such a responsible position to improve the health of our nation. Our concern is that in the advertisement, Wisynco has not listed the 40 products that meet these guidelines. Notably, a few beverages are listed in text which are the newest low-sugar additions to the portfolio (for example, Melon WATA, Lite Fresh Orange Juice, and Sparkling CranWATA) and then have advertised pictures of all their beverage brands below the text.
However, the consumer has not been provided with clear, accurate information. The consumer has not been provided with the list of the 40 products.
Our question is whether all these pictured brands of drinks meet the guidelines.
We urge Wisynco to clarify the actual sugar content of their products. The consuming public has the right to accurate, clear and unambiguous information in advertisements.
MICHAEL DIAMOND
President
National Consumers’ League of Jamaica