Foreign company uses bogus Demerara Sugar label

Jun 11, 2009 News 0

Six years have passed since a company has been using Guyana Sugar Corporation’s label ‘Demerara Gold’ to dupe overseas-based Guyanese into buying sugar purported to be made in Guyana when in fact the commodity is produced in Mauritius.

Some of the bogus labels being used by Bedessee Imports Inc.

And whoever is doing this continues to get away with the act.

As such, Minister of Agriculture, Robert Persaud, is urging Guyanese in North America not to purchase products labeled by ‘Bedessee Imports’.

The company has been packaging sugar made in Mauritius to suggest that it emanates from Guyana.

The Ministry of Agriculture has stated that the use of the mark ‘Demerara Gold’ on the main panel of the packaging incorrectly suggests that the sugar sold is genuine Demerara sugar.

Bedessee Imports Inc, the Ministry said, has a reputation of dishonest marketing in branding and packaging its products to deceive the West Indians residing in North America.

“Guysuco has taken a very aggressive stand in taking legal action and other representation on this matter and will continue to pursue all legal courses,” Minister Persaud said.

In the case of sugar, Bedessee’s went even further by reproduction of a representation of a map of Guyana on the main display panel.

“The name ‘Demerara’ suggests geography…and it is a brand that Guysuco has been nurturing and developing. Now it’s being misused.”

As such the Ministry is urging Guyanese in the Diaspora not to purchase any product that is deceptive and misleading, creating an impression that they are made in Guyana.