We are aware of a voice note in circulation regarding food sent for landfill disposal by our company, Massy Stores (SLU).
The voice note suggests that meat, beef, milk, chicken, cheese sent for dumping was supposedly raided from the landfill, reentered the market and is being sold. We wish to indicate that based on our logs of the most recent items sent to the Deglos Landfill on September 1st, 2022, the items submitted for destruction and disposal were poor quality, compromised perishable items, mainly fruits and vegetables and cheese.
This has been confirmed by the Solid Waste Management Authority, who manages the site and facilitates the disposal of products received.
Food waste prevention at source is a key priority for Massy Stores SLU. Through various operational strategies (purchasing, inventory tracking) and other means, every effort is made to reduce food waste within our operations.
Further, we have in place a food redistribution programme where surplus and food with good “use by dates” are donated to a range of food related charitable and other organisations, while it is still safe for consumption.
While we are committed to strengthening our processes where food waste is concerned, we wish to reiterate that the items sent to the landfill for disposal were not fit for human consumption. As such the decision to dispose of the products was in keeping with proper health, safety and sanitation practice, given the potential health risks.
We will continue to work closely with our waste disposal service providers and the St. Lucia Solid Waste Management Authority to improve our processes as it relates to the safe and timely disposal of all products (food inclusive) sent by Massy Stores SLU to the landfill for disposal.