20/03/2024

US FDA undertakes inspection of Saint Lucian businesses

By Exports St.lucia

Export Saint Lucia and the Saint Lucia Manufacturers Association (SMA) are thrilled to announce a substantial uptake in the country's exports, particularly marking significant success in the highly competitive United States market. This increase in exports reflects the dedication, resilience, and high-quality products of Saint Lucian businesses. The notable expansion is further amplified by the proactive measures implemented by these support agencies, contributing significantly to the nation's economic advancement.

The United States is one of the key target markets for Saint Lucian exporters, where Saint Lucia has recorded a notable increase in demand for Saint Lucian products. As a response, the United States Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) recently visited the island, with the aim of engaging with key exporters to ensure compliance with the safety standards set by the agency. Initial feedback from the exporters indicates that the audited firms were pleased with the US FDA checks, which will further solidify Saint Lucia's reputation as a reliable and reputable trading partner. Representatives of the Government of Saint Lucia also welcomed the audits as they are confident about the quality of exports Saint Lucia provides to the international world.

“As the Government of Saint Lucia steadfastly champions the growth and prosperity of our nation's businesses, we remain dedicated to fostering an environment which supports global competitiveness. By implementing targeted policies, we aim to empower our enterprises to thrive in today's dynamic global landscape, ensuring a brighter future for our people, the economy of Saint Lucia, and very importantly, our customers," expressed Minister for Commerce, Manufacturing, Business Development, Cooperatives, and Consumer Affairs, Hon. Emma Hippolyte.

Marguerite Desir, President of St Lucia Manufacturers Association remarked "We, the St. Lucia Manufacturers Association, are delighted to acknowledge one of our members, Baron Foods Limited and their recent successful audit with the FDA. This is a testament to their commitment to quality and the highest standards in food safety. Baron Foods has consistently supplied the United States market, providing products that meet and surpass international standards. Their dedication to production, manufacturing and their corporate social responsibility has significantly contributed to the Saint Lucian socio-economy development. Congratulations to Baron Foods on this positive outcome from their FDA audit.”

The global appetite for Saint Lucian products underscores the successful positioning of the nation's goods in the international market. Export Saint Lucia is dedicated to fostering strong partnerships, facilitating trade growth, and promoting the sustainable development of Saint Lucia’s export products.

“Export Saint Lucia recognizes the significance of aligning with international regulatory standards to uphold the trust and confidence of all our consumers worldwide. With growing demand for Saint Lucian products, we are steadfast in our commitment to empowering local producers, enabling them to seize opportunities for expansion and amplify exports in existing markets, while strategically penetrating new and emerging markets," said Export Saint Lucia’s Chief Executive Officer, Sunita Daniel. 

As we celebrate this recent achievement, Export Saint Lucia looks forward to further enhancing the accessibility and competitiveness of Saint Lucian products in global markets.