IN recent weeks, both the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Health have issued critical warnings to Jamaicans regarding the consumption, sale, or distribution of chicken products found in a shipping container that washed ashore along the Hellshire coastline in St Catherine on April 3. According to the authorities, these products were not intended for Jamaica and did not meet the country’s food safety standards. Despite these warnings, many people have defied the guidelines, believing that the appearance of the items suggests they are safe for human consumption.

Cold chain failure and public health risk

The chicken meat in question was not transported under the required cold-chain (frozen) conditions, resulting in spoilage and a heightened risk of contamination. Perishable foods such as poultry must be stored at safe temperatures (below 5°C or 41°F) to prevent the rapid growth and multiplication of harmful microorganisms such as salmonella, listeria, and campylobacter. Without proper storage conditions, these pathogens thrive, posing serious risks to public health. In addition to microbial concerns, the chicken products failed to meet Jamaica’s required food safety standards, as stated by the competent authorities.

The broader food safety and chemical contamination risks

Chemical contamination of food is another critical concern for public health. Like other meats, chicken can be exposed to contamination through various pathways, even if labelled organic. Environmental pollutants such as pesticides, dioxins, and heavy metals (eg, lead and mercury), can contaminate chicken meat during its production or processing stages.

Each country is guided by its own laws and international food safety guidelines to protect its population. Port surveillance serves as a first-line defence in countries with robust food control programmes, preventing the spread of contaminated food-borne diseases. Assuming the safety of these products based solely on their intended destination is incautious. Good agricultural practices, good animal husbandry practices, good manufacturing practices, and good food processing practices are essential to mitigate food safety risk in food; however, products of unknown origin — like those in this case — may have been exposed to harmful chemicals, which may jeopardise the public’s health.

Long-term effects of food-borne illnesses

Globally, over 250 food-borne diseases caused by at least 31 known pathogens have been identified, many leading to gastrointestinal illnesses or even death. Additionally, some illnesses result in non-gastrointestinal symptoms with delayed onset. For instance, food-borne listeriosis, caused by listeria monocytogenes, can lead to severe complications, including fever, muscle aches, mental confusion, loss of balance, and even shock. Pregnant women face particular risks, as the infection can be transmitted to the foetus, potentially causing stillbirth or lifelong health issues. The effects of chemically contaminated food can also be chronic. Conditions such as renal failure, cancers, and neurological disorders have been linked to chemically contaminated or adulterated food. Adding to this urgency is the threat of highly pathogenic avian influenza (bird flu), which has implications for both human and animal health.

Addressing the current crisis

This situation highlights a violation of both national and international food safety regulations and guidelines. To safeguard public health, the Government of Jamaica must take decisive action, including:

• enforcing stricter monitoring of coastlines to prevent intentional or accidental dumping of foods;

• strengthening protocols and enforcement to prevent coastal looting of unverified items; and

• Raising public awareness about food-borne disease risks and the dangers of consuming spoilt or unverified food products.

Though many individuals may have already consumed the contaminated chicken, it is still imperative that measures be taken to safely dispose of any remaining products ultimately mitigating the environmental and public health risks.

The public’s responsibility

Unsafe food consumption costs low and middle-income countries approximately $110 billion annually in productivity losses and medical expenses. To combat this, the Jamaican public holds the responsibility of avoiding the consumption, sale, or distribution of questionable chicken meat.

Consumers must remain vigilant, ensuring that poultry is purchased only from trusted suppliers, while exercising caution with relatively cheap chicken meat for sale. Additionally, individuals are urged to report any known cases of sale or distribution of contaminated products to the relevant authorities.

A unified effort for public health

The importance of public cooperation in this matter cannot be overstated. As mentioned, consumption of unsafe foods can result in severe health effects, including kidney and liver failure, neurological disorders, and cancers. As in this case, handling the particular products could also contribute to the spread of avian influenza, posing further risks to the public and animal health. Together, government authorities and Jamaican citizens must collaborate to safeguard public health, protect the poultry industry, and prevent a potential public health crisis.

Dr Karlene Atkinson is a public health specialist and lecturer at the School of Public Health, University of Technology, Jamaica.