THE RECENT decision by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to reject a batch of Jamaican canned ackees has created a major concern to all local processors involved in the production of canned ackee for export. Ackee, the national fruit of Jamaica, is a favourite delicacy among Jamaicans at home and abroad.
Ackee contains a natural toxin, hypoglycin which is found in the seed and aril of the fruit. At certain levels, this toxin can cause vomiting, convulsions, coma and even death. Therefore, it is very important to keep the concentration of this naturally occurring toxin to a minimum.
At the Mona Institute of Applied Sciences (MIAS), we provide analytical assessment of uncooked ackee through to the finished canned product to determine the concentration of hypoglycin present.
For more information on our analytical services you can call us at (876) 970-2042 / 512- 3067 or email us at mias@uwimona.edu.jm.
