Metal fragments found in Pan Caribbean Sugar, urgent recall issued

The contamination poses a significant health risk if ingested, officials warned. The public is being urged to safely discard any Pan Caribbean sugar products currently in their possession and to await further updates from the ministry.

In response to the findings, the ministry has placed an immediate stop order on the production, distribution, and sale of all Pan Caribbean Sugar Company products across the island.

“This is a proactive measure to protect public health,” a inistry spokesperson said. “Further investigations are underway, and we will provide official updates once confirmatory laboratory results indicate that any food safety risks have been resolved and the product is safe for consumption.”

The affected product is sold under the ‘Pan-Caribbean Sugar’ label in 1lb, 2lb, and 4lb packages. The recall specifically involves packaged brown sugar, though authorities have not ruled out expanding the warning as investigations continue.

The contamination first came to light following a social media video showing visible metal fragments in the sugar, prompting rapid action from health regulators. Pan Caribbean Sugar Company said in a release it has flagged the origin of the contaminated batch but did not provide a manufacturing date of its production. 

The alert has already triggered responses beyond Jamaica. The Department of Environmental Health (DEH) in the Cayman Islands issued a separate recall notice on April 21, 2026, advising the public of the contaminated brown sugar manufactured in Jamaica. The DEH confirmed it is coordinating with importers, wholesalers, and retailers to withdraw the product from the food supply chain until further notice.

Consumers in affected jurisdictions are advised to either dispose of small quantities in regular garbage or return packages to the point of purchase.

The Pan Caribbean Sugar Company is a Chinese-owned entity operating in Jamaica, focused on producing brown sugar and managing of the Frome Sugar Factory in Westmoreland. The company has operated under a partnership with the Jamaican government to improve local sugar production efficiency.

With approximately US$80 million in investment, the company has been working to upgrade its factories and install new, more efficient technology. The company is chaired by Zudui Zhang.