JP Farms is Jamaica’s largest commercial grower of bananas. According to company spokespeople, it is taking legal action following the discovery of bananas purporting to be “Jamaican Bananas”, bearing fake JP branding, being sold on Canadian supermarket shelves.
It has been selling its St Mary-grown bananas locally and internationally under the JP and St Mary’s brands. These are both registered trademarks, restricted from unauthorised use.
Misleading stickers on the phoney product differ from those on genuine JP Farms Jamaican-grown fruit. Notably, the imposter banana stickers are circular, whereas JP stickers are oval, the release stated. The fake bananas also use the old St Mary’s logo, while JP bananas now use the refreshed St Mary’s logo. Early investigations also point to the fake “Jamaican Bananas” originating from another Caribbean Island.
JP Farms General Manager Mario Figueroa explained further differences between the phoney fruit and genuine JP bananas: “The imposter bananas show quality defects that would not have passed JP Farms’ standards for export - these include sunburn damage and the food being too old to be used as boiling bananas - meaning the fruit would be tough when prepared.”
With potential severe implications for public safety and a potential negative effect on Brand Jamaica, JP Farms is swiftly taking legal action to remove the bananas from the Canadian market as soon as possible.
Source: jamaicaobserver.com