With reference to the prime minister's proposal to levy a new tax against imported 'junk food', as a relatively educated consumer, I am not convinced that the PM is as committed to the health of our citizens as he claims.

This new tax would certainly make imported, highly processed foods more expensive for both seller and consumer. However, such a policy would also help to increase the amount of shelf space given to local manufacturers, who already create many junk-food products, which often sell for far less than the imported brands. Giving local manufacturers carte blanche to fill up our grocery baskets and pantries with local junk is hardly a progressive move.

What would be far more prudent is to give local manufacturers incentives to phase out the dubiously flavoured cookies made of bleached flour, trans fats and high fructose corn syrup, and the 'juice drinks' made out of little more than sugar and water, and to develop healthy products out of local foods.

Not every breadfruit, banana or plantain has to be deep-fried in order to be a marketable product. Likewise, coconut water should be far more accessible to consumers than it currently is. Instead, all sorts of 'juices' seem to take up most of the fridge space in shops and restaurants.

Healthy food alternatives

It should also be obvious that any effort to increase citizens' access to healthy food alternatives must facilitate better linkages between local farmers, small manufacturers and media/public relations groups.

At the end of the day, if the products do not look appealing on the shelves, nobody will buy them and the barrels from foreign will continue to replace what the individual local pocket cannot afford.

I am, etc.,

VERNA KITSON

verna.kitson@gmail.com

Montego Bay