UPDATE: Grace products no longer banned

The British Virgin Islands (BVI) government has removed the temporary ban it had placed on canned meat products bearing the Grace Foods label.

The Environmental Health Division had placed a ban on the products after allegations surfaced internationally that Brazilian companies had been selling unsafe meat products.

According to a joint statement from the BVI Environmental Health Division and the Ministry of Health and Social Development, the ban was removed as there is no evidence that the spoiled or contaminated meat was exported to the territory.

Chief Executive Officer of Grace Kennedy Group Don Wehby, in a statement, said his company has reviewed the information provided by the Brazil Secretariat of Animal and Plant Health, and it is satisfied that Grace Corned Beef is not among the items under scrutiny.

Wehby added that none of the meat plants being investigated by Brazilian authorities had supplied Corned Beef to his company, Grace Kennedy.

Wehby further stated that the health and safety of consumers remain of primary importance, and Grace Kennedy will continue to ensure that suppliers conform to internationally recognised food safety standards.

Those standards include the British Retail Consortium Standard, which is used by leading manufacturers across the world; and which sets out stringent requirements as it relates to manufacturing, food safety, and quality control systems.

The Environmental Health Division, in the meantime, said persons with concerns can call its offices at 468-5110.

It further stated that it is committed to ensuring that all aspects of the environment are managed efficiently to enable all persons in the BVI to attain and maintain optimal health and social well-being.

See previous story published on march 23, 2017

The government has advised the public to return the Grace brand of Corned Beef to the place of purchase following a product withdrawal activated by the company.

A statement from Grace said there is a temporary ban on Corned Beef imported from Brazil, and all retailers in the territory are asked to remove the item from their shelves.

Acting Chief Environmental Health Officer Yolanda Penn said the recall is for any canned meat item, meat or poultry that bears the name Grace Food Products.

“Persons can return the items to the place of purchase for a full refund or exchange,” Penn said.
She added that the items may have been purchased from OneMart, Bobby’s, or Tortola General Services located in Port Purcell.

Persons with questions or concerns are encouraged to contact the Environmental Health Division at 468-5110.

The Environmental Health Division said it is committed to ensuring that all aspects of the environment with the potential to negatively impact health are managed efficiently to enable all persons in the BVI to attain and maintain optimal health and social well-being.