New products from young people
Consumer Concerns
By Eileen Cox
Stabroek News
February 1, 2004
Never say "Never!" All those pessimists who predicted that Guyana would never come out of the doldrums will have to retract their words when they discover what is new on the market. What's more, these new products are from the brains and initiative of young Guyanese. So, look out for more now that we are in motion.
The new product that gave me hope for Guyana is low-fat pasteurised milk, one of the products of Moogoodies, a dairy producing plant that was opened in New Amsterdam recently.
Mr Patrick Dial, President of the Guyana Consumers Association, introduced me to the product. In his radio broadcast, Consumers Corner, he said that most consumers took little notice when the launching took place in Berbice but "it has turned out to be one of the blessings with which consumers have begun the New Year." He praised the pasteurized milk and rated it as equal in quality to the milk one obtains in the developed world.
In a handy brochure, the Owner/Director, Timothy McIntosh, a young Guyanese, lists the ingredients in milk that everybody needs. These are: calcium, riboflavin, vitamin D, protein, potassium, vitamin B12.
In addition to pasteurised milk, the plant produces yogurt, with and without fruit, and without preservatives. Yogurt, as you may know, is recommended for persons being treated with antibiotics.
The third product is Cream Cheese, which is so delicious it is bound to send consumers who cannot manage money into further debt.
The milk will be delivered to your door if you so desire.
The Owner/Director of the plant expresses his willingness to consider any other milk product that customers may desire. So may we forthwith express the wish that cottage cheese be added to the list of products of Moogoodies. He can be contacted at 333-3071 goodies@ networksgy.com
Although convinced that this marks a beginning of a new era in Guyana with Guyanese switching from importation to production of food products, there is a concern. What will we do with the sturdy plastic bottles that bring the 1.8 litres of milk to our doors? Is there any chance of recycling the bottles? (For those who are not yet metric-minded, 1.704 L is equivalent to 3 pints).
Dairy products are not the only new products on sale in our markets. The Evergreen Nature Study Club has produced ORAGIN, an organic agro- insecticide. It is "For Cultural use in the control of aphids, blights, bugs and other common garden insect pests" and is made from processed extract of plants belonging to Gen-tianaceae, Poaceae, Me-liaceae and Solanaceae. It is available from McGar-rel's Plant Nursery, Verge-noegen, near Two Brothers Gas Station; Evergreen Nature Study Club, 217 Lamaha Street, NC; and Munroe's Office Centre, 296 Carriage Road, Rosig-nol Village.
Coming at this time, this product is particularly useful. Consumers in the developed world are calling for organic food and Guyana stands ready to supply. However, we must ensure that there are no residues of chemical pesticides on the foods we export. As it is many consumers in Georgetown express concern about the safety of leafy vegetables such as callaloo. There is a perception that farmers spray the vegetables and fruit which they produce for the market, but not those for the use of their families. We have all been warned of the danger of pesticide residues on the food that we eat.
This organic product will be a boon to farmers who wish to enter the European market. Countries that show concern for food safety will test imported food for chemical residues, and exporters will have to be vigilant if they wish to remain in the business of exporting farm produce.
Evergreen Nature Study Club also produces a repellent, Moreo, which when rubbed on the skin will protect against mosquitoes and other insects that bite.
Our young people are on the move. Obtaining credit is an obstacle, but we may find a way to overcome that hindrance to development. New markets will be opening in Brazil. The prospects for enterprising persons are extremely good. Our motto should now be 'Onward, Upward.'