In 2017 when Brazil had the huge canned corned beef scandal almost every country in the world including China banned canned corned beef from Brazil for a period of time. The Bahamas government did not ban it and the wholesalers/retailers fully knowing that it was deemed not safe to eat kept stocking it on the shelves. They both are culpable for the food quality being sold in The Bahamas and it is shameful.

Actually the brazilian an argetinian corned beef we eat everyday are 'export only' products, btw.

They are talking about the sugar tax because the WHO wants imposed.

Trans fats were banned in the US so most of the processed food we get here have the minimum transfat allowed.

However, they do nothing about the meat and chicken in fast food places which the meat content sometimes is a mere 57% ( like chicken nuggets and fish burgers) because they charge a lot of duty on it.

On top of it when the fast food place fries the chicken in the oil heat for large amounts of time, BINGO, the vegetable oil becomes trans fat. lol. We make our own transfat.

Also they dare not talk about potato chips and cereals which are loaded with sugar, preservatives and the insect unmentionables. I see families buy huge bags at the food store.

**repost**

"...ensure that our foods and drinks are nutritious and are free of illness inducing poisons such as artificial flavors, artificial colors, preservatives, herbicides, fungicides, pesticides, desiccants, Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs), plastic packaging that leech carcinogens into foods (these line tin cans too), fluoride in drinks and toothpaste, soy, canola, imported foods having high mold content (labelled for export only), poisonous (carcinogenic) hair and beauty products, and the worst insidious most addictive offender SUGAR (gets converted directly into fat and suppresses the immune system for hours)...etc... These poisons are slow acting and over time ruin our heath producing the so called dreaded comorbidities and the poisonous sugars and oils cause unmanageable obesity, so a proactive approach is required not a band-aid."

One practical approach to assess the quality of imported goods would involve returning them to their respective senders and observing what items are permitted to reenter the originating countries. It is only logical that items lacking proper labelling and missing essential information, such as expiration dates, should be strictly prohibited. Reflecting on the influx of undesirable products that infiltrate my own household, I am astounded by the extent of the issue. For instance, I have encountered onions that are discoloured and rotten within, shrimp contaminated with the debilitating 'white spot' disease, chicken emitting an unpleasant odour reminiscent of an unclean freezer, and meat that initially appears to be of satisfactory quality on one side, only to reveal an exorbitant amount of fat on the other. Furthermore, the sight of fruits with withered stems shows that they have long surpassed their freshness.

Undoubtedly, it is evident that the food industry has preemptively prepared itself for any potential rejection or return of produce, promptly addressing any issues that arise through swift and unchallenged exchanges. This practice is predominantly driven by the awareness that such matters have become increasingly apparent to the Bahamian public. However, I firmly believe that a more comprehensive solution is needed to address the many problems plaguing our nation, particularly regarding the health and well-being of our citizens.

> I think one viable solution would be
> for the government to actively engage
> in the food import business. By doing
> so, they can establish a healthier and
> safer alternative to the prevailing
> paradigm of "high prices, low quality"
> food currently dominating our local
> market shelves. The government has the
> potential to significantly improve the
> status quo, as the well-being of
> Bahamians should take precedence over
> the profits enjoyed by the food
> industry.**

By assuming control over the importation of food, the government can ensure that stringent quality standards are enforced, promoting the availability of fresh and nutritious produce to the population. Moreover, they can implement comprehensive regulations, mandating transparent labelling practices, accurate expiration dates, and rigorous inspection processes to safeguard consumers' health. Such a move would address the immediate concerns of subpar food items entering the country and lay the foundation for a sustainable and thriving food industry within our borders.

Furthermore, the government's involvement in the food import business can stimulate local agriculture and farming initiatives. By supporting and encouraging domestic food production, we can reduce our reliance on imports and foster a sense of self-sufficiency. This would bolster our food security and contribute to our nation's economic growth and overall well-being.

Government control of food imports? Give me a break! A couple government controlled organizations come to mind. B.E.C, Water and Sewerage.

I have an issue with stale dated (old) meats being imported, meats that cannot be sold in the U.S.
However, be prepared for a major price increase if the Government starts demanding dating from the vendors. soon to be out of date packaged goods are cheaper so they get imported, sometimes already stale.
Seconds in produce and Fruit is common.
We cannot afford firsts.