G/TBT/N/JAM/119  
16 Octobre 2023  
(23-6938) Page: 1/2 
Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade  Original:  English  
 
  
NOTIFICATION  
The following notification is being circulated in accordance with Article 10.6  
 
1. Notifying Member:  JAMAICA  
If applicable, name of local government involved (Article 3.2 and 7.2):   
2. Agency responsible:   
Regional and International Trade Branch  
Name and address (including telephone and fax numbers , email and website 
addresses, if available) of agency or authority designated to handle comments 
regarding the notification shall be indicated if different from above:   
6 Winc hester Road  
Kingston 10  
Jamaica W.I.  
Email: info@bsj.org.jm ; Website: http://www.bsj.org.jm  
Tel.: 1 (876) 926 -3140-5/ (876) 618 -1534/ (876) 632 -4275; Fax: 1 (876) 929 -4736 
3. Notified under Article 2.9.2 [  ], 2.10.1 [X], 5.6.2 [  ], 5.7.1 [  ], 3.2 [  ], 7.2 [  ], 
other :  
4. Products covered (HS or CCCN where applicable, otherwise national tariff 
heading. ICS numbers may be provided in addition, where applicable):  Fruits. 
Vegetables: ICS 67.080  
5. Title, number of pages and language(s) of the notified document:  Draft Jamaican 
Standard Specification for Processed ackee ( Blighia sapida ); (20 page(s),  in English)  
6. Description of content:  This standard specifies requirements for the processing of 
ackee, the fruit of the Blighia sapida  (ackee) plant.  
This standard does not include requirements for fermented ackee products  
7. Objective and rationale, including the nature of urgent problems where 
applicable:   
Due to current practices within the ackee industry, where pre -processors are now 
responsible for cleaning, de -seeding, and removing the raphe from ackee fruit which 
necessitates a review  of the standard to ensure that these activities are carried out under 
suitable conditions. Previously, processors (who manufacture canned ackee, cooked 
ackee or raw frozen ackee) used to purchase ackee in the pod (opened), and if it was 
purchased unopened , they (the processor) allow the ackees for a period of 3 -5 days to 
mature at their processing establishment, after which its seed and raphe are removed, 
which would then be processed for the desired product.  
Ackee is a highly sensitive commodity due to it s Hypoglycin A content. This compound 
can be harmful to consumers if present in high concentrations. Therefore, it is imperative 
to establish strict guidelines to minimize the risk of health hazards. The reputation and 
sustainability of the ackee industry are at stake.  G/TBT/N/JAM/119  
 
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  If immature ackees with elevated Hypoglycin A levels enter the market, it could lead to 
public health concerns, potentially damaging the industry's reputation and economic 
viability.  
The invocation of Article 2.10 signifies an urgent need for  regulatory intervention due to 
the potential health risks associated with the current practices. This necessitates a 
shortened public enquiry period, accelerated publication and enforcement date.  
Consumer information, labelling; Prevention of deceptive pr actices and consumer 
protection; Protection of human health or safety  
8. Relevant documents:   
A notice of the Standard Specification for Processed ackee (Blighia sapida) will appear in 
The Jamaica Gazette Supplement - Proclamations, Rules and Regulations. The document 
will appear as a Jamaican Standard Specification, with mandatory status, and will be 
available for sale.  
9. Proposed date of adoption:  1 January 2024  
Propo sed date of entry into force:  1 January 2024  
10. Final date for comments:  15 November 2023  
11. Texts available from:  National enquiry point [ ] or address, telephone and fax 
numbers and email and website addresses, if available , of other body:   
Regional & International Trade Branch  
Bureau of Standards Jamaica (BSJ)  
6 Winchester Road  
Kingston 10  
+(876) -618-1534; (876) -632-4275 
tbtenquirypoint@bsj.org.jm ; http://www.bsj.org.jm  
https://members.wt o.org/crnattachments/2023/TBT/JAM/23_13012_00_e.pdf