Hairoun Brand Manager expresses confidence in manufacturing of Brewery products

Regional Commercial and Hairoun brand manager at the St Vincent Brewery, Shafia London has expressed confidence in the company’s products,{{more}} following the incident in which a British national, Nathan Smith, attempted to export cocaine in cans with labels of Brewery products.

Speaking to SEARCHLIGHT, London said that management was very confident in the products manufactured at the Campden Park plant.

Smith was arrested on July 24 at the E.T Joshua Airport for attempting to export 1,235 grams of cocaine, discovered in three sealed cans bearing the labels Vita Malt, Presidente and Hairoun – all products of the Brewery.

The police observed the three cans in the man’s luggage and then weighed them. They noted that the weight of the cans amounted to more than the 12 ounces stated on the labels and when the cans were opened, the police said that a brown, oily substance began flowing from them.

That substance was tested and the results showed that it was cocaine.

“We are observing the situation and we would hope that no one else would try to do it again, but we are very confident in our products,” London explained.

“We, at all times, adhere to good manufacturing practices,” she continued.

She explained that the brewery was Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) certified and that the company was recently audited and was able to be recertified.

“Which means that our standards, we were able to maintain and improve them continuously and HACCP was satisfied that we fulfilled their requirements.”

This meant that the products being manufactured at the brewery could be traded internationally and the quality guaranteed based on the consistent quality control that is practised, London said.

The brand manager further expressed her confidence that the products could not be tampered with on site at the brewery, based on the quality protocols put in place.

“We can stand by that and provide the information to the police,” she said.

According to London, the technologies that are used to tamper with products are often done at the individual’s home.

It was therefore necessary to continue to work with the police, she said, to ensure that when they detect that goods may have been tampered with and the quality compromised, that they know the source of the technologies and work with the consumers to restore confidence.

She, however, noted that if at any time there was anything wrong with a product, there were mechanisms in place to facilitate a recall of those defective products.

But, in the history of operations, London said that there was never a situation where this was necessary.

“This incident was unfortunate in that criminal elements saw it fit to use our products,” London told SEARCHLIGHT.

However, the technology was something that was readily available to the general public, she further stated.

“Anybody can have access to the Internet; anybody can have access to certain technologies and sometimes this can be used for good, it could be used for bad,” London said.

She added that there was technology out there, although not readily available, but accessible to modify various products.

“And we don’t know what other products are being modified on an ongoing basis by these criminal elements – the technology is out there and if it gets in the wrong hands as in this case, they can modify the product,” the Hairoun brand manager explained.

This was something that they had no control over, however London said that consumers of the brewery’s products must check for any flaws, or any changes in the appearance of the product to ensure that it is consistent with what they were accustomed to from the company.

If any flaws are discovered, she suggested that the product be returned immediately, although she reiterated confidence in company’s products.

She said she did not think it was necessary to make physical changes to the cans.

“We will at all times cooperate with police if they need any information on the process, the technical process – we will provide all the information,” London said. (DD)