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BAHAMAS: Price Commission Re-Launches Hotline Number and Gives Update on Initiatives

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#Nassau, June 29, 2019 – Bahamas –

Remarks

by

Chairman of the Price Commission

Mr. Daniel Sumner

At The

Price Commission Press Conference

At The

The Department of Labour

Thursday, June 27th, 2019

At 2:00 p.m.

Ladies and gentlemen of the press, a pleasant good afternoon to you.

It gives me great pleasure to welcome you here today to announce the relaunch of the Price Commission hotline number as well as to update you on ongoing efforts which are being carried out by the Price Commission to protect consumers throughout the length and breadth of The Bahamas.

Currently, the Price Commission falls under the carriage of the Ministry of Labour and has been given the mandate to serve and protect consumers from unfair prices charged by unscrupulous merchants.

Since assuming the post of Chairman of the Price Commission, I have received numerous complaints from various consumers about a number of merchants committing alleged price infractions on the breadbasket list of food items. These cases are considered to be serious breaches of the Price Control Act and the Price Commission is actively pursuing these matters in conjunction with the relevant law enforcement authorities and we wish to put merchants on notice that those found guilty will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

I wish to assure the Bahamian public that the Price Commission is fully committed to protecting the interests of all consumers and as a result has intensified its partnership with NEMA (the National Emergency Management Agency), the various consumer boards and law enforcement agencies to ensure that no consumer is unfairly taken advantage of at any time in The Bahamas particularly during the Hurricane Season.

Some of the Areas of Focus The Price Commission Will Be Keeping A Tight Eye On will include:

1.Price Gouging

The Price Commission is aware that over the years, the Bahamian public has become overwhelmed by the practice of price gouging by a small pocket of dishonest merchants. Therefore, we wish to assure the public that we here at the Commission will be policing and watching out for any price gouging in accordance with Chapter 339 section 3 subsection 1 of the Price Control Act, so that Consumers are not taken advantage of.

Price gouging has a penalty of a fine not exceeding $5,000 (five thousand dollars) per item. So therefore we are putting merchants on notice to ensure that they have the correct prices on all food items and goods, particularly breadbasket food items that are made available for sale to the public in their stores.

Members of the public that suspect that they have purchased overpriced food items or suspect that they have been unfairly taken advantage of can contact our Price Commission Hotline number at 376-1157. Once again that number is 376-1157. Members of our team are on standby ready to assist the public with their complaints.

2.Hoarding

Another concern of the Price Commission is hoarding. In accordance with Chapter 339 Price Regulation subsection 5 it is an offense for a Vendor to withhold an item that can be sold immediately. Let me give a Scenario: During the hurricane season vendor (a) could sell a can of tuna immediately but chooses to hold back until vendor (b) has sold out all of his tuna. Vendor (a) then puts the tuna out to be sold but no other vendor has the tuna. This is considered hoarding.

The fine for hoarding is $2,500 (two thousand five hundred dollars) per item. In the past there have been some major cases involving one or two of the major food stores in the country. We are warning these food stores that the Price Commission will not stand by and allow the Bahamian people to be taken advantage of.

3.Family Island Inspections

So far the Price Commission has conducted price inspections on a number Family Islands including Long Island and Andros. Very shortly we will be stepping up our inspections on some of the other Family Islands during surprise visits.

The Commission is fully committed to paying close attention to the pricing, standard, quality and the shipping and handling of food items that are on the grocers’ shelves on the Family Islands. Further, we will be observing the excessive pricing of gasoline on the Family Islands.

4. Breadbasket List of Food Items

The Price Commission wishes to advise the public that it will continue to monitor and ensure the availability, quality and standards of Breadbasket items. We encourage the public to continue to familiarize themselves with the list of Breadbasket food items which includes:

  • Butter
  • Cheese
  • Cooking Oil
  • Corn Beef
  • Evaporated Milk
  • Flour
  • Grits
  • Margarine
  • Mayonnaise
  • Rice
  • Tomato Paste

Extended Breadbasket Items Include:

  • Baby Cereal
  • Baby Food
  • Baby Formula
  • Broths
  • Canned Fish
  • Condensed Milk
  • Fresh Milk
  • Mustard
  • Powdered Detergents
  • Soap
  • Soups

Finally as I conclude the Price Commission would like to thank the Minister of Labour, Senator the Honourable Dion A. Foulkes for his commitment to protecting the interest of the Bahamian consumer. Along with the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Labour, Mr. Peter Deveaux-Isaacs. I would also like to thank my board members which include:

  • Mr. Earl Godet
  • Ms. Eulamae Gordon
  • Mr. Huel Robins
  • Mr. Dwight Allen
  • Mr. Freddie Munnings
  • Ms. Carla Bain
  • Mrs. Belinda Wilson
  • Ms. Leona Wilson
  • And Ms. Essel Deleveaux-Spruill

We also wish to thank the public and members of the media for their on-going support. Thank you ladies and gentlemen of the press for your attendance here today.

Release: Ministry of Labour press release — Remarks by Chairman of the Price Commission.

Photo Caption: Mr. Daniel Sumner, Chairman of the Price Commission and Labour Consultant in the Ministry of Labour is pictured at center addressing a press conference on Price Gouging at the Department of Labour on Thursday, June 27, 2019. Also pictured at left is Mr. Earl Godet, Deputy Chairman of the Price Commission and at right Mr. Huel Robins, Board member of the Price Commission. 

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Monument Beverage Co. Caribbean Wines & Spirits Uniquely Bahamian Newest Product

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NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Wines & Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ premier wines and spirits distributor is proud to announce the launch of Monument Beverage Co., its newest 100% locally produced ready-to-drink alcoholic cocktail.

Monument, “Made to Celebrate”, perfectly encapsulates everything the brand represents. Created and distributed by CWS, Monument is inspired by culture, crafted with excellence and bursting with innovation.

This unique beverage celebrates island living with three bold flavors, Ginger Lime, Peach Passion and Melon Fizz. All of which can be enjoyed at an ABV of five-point-two percent.

The brand’s creativity really shines through each can’s packaging. Bold colored stripes, cherished native flora and fauna and of course, national monuments can all be found on each can.

The beverage’s two year plus development is a testament to CWS’ dedication to quality and innovation. Countless hours of tastings, reformulations, focus groups and package design reviews all paid off with the creation of Monument.

Karla Wells-Lisgaris, Chief Commercial Officer of Caribbean Wines & Spirits and Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers of Coca-Cola and Dasani products, shared what this authentically Bahamian made product launch means for the company.

“When we were conceptualizing Monument, we wanted to create a product that not only tasted like The Bahamas but would be an ode to the nation as well. With those two thoughts in mind, I, along with a team of experts, created three incredible flavors we believe really connect with and celebrate the essence of island living,” she said.

“Additionally, being that Monument is the first product to be 100% manufactured by Caribbean Wines & Spirits, we really wanted to ensure that both the flavors and packaging honored our rich heritage. On each of the cans, you can find various monuments such as the Nassau Public Library in New Providence, the Garden of the Grove in Grand Bahama and the Hatchet Bay Silos in Eleuthera; all of which pay homage to our diverse Bahamian heritage.” Wells-Lisgaris concluded.”

The historic monuments found throughout our islands are more than places we pass every day; they are reminders of who we are, where we’ve come from and the stories that connect us as Bahamians.

Monument is perfectly formulated with quality ingredients, and each can celebrates a collection of these cultural icons from across The Bahamas.

Whether chilling solo beachside, gathered around a family table or backyard a grill with friends, make Monument your sip of choice.  Monument is made to celebrate, visit  www.cwsbahamas.com today for more details.

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Lady Kayla Crowned Goombay Punch Cup Sailing Champion of 2025/2026

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L–R: Joss Knowles, Kianno Hutchinson, Jazmin Darling, Assistant Marketing Manager at Caribbean Bottling Company and Dallas Knowles receiving a donation on behalf of the Exuma Sailing Club at the Long Island Regatta awards ceremony.

NASSAU, Bahamas —– Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers of Coca-Cola and Dasani products, is proud to crown Lady Kayla of Exuma as this year’s annual Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup winner.

CBC created the Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup to further the advancement of sailing and Bahamian culture through monetary and social support. The competition judges the skipper’s performance across three regattas, The Best of the Best, the National Family Island and Long Island Regattas.

The winning sloop led by Kianno Hutchinson and Joss Knowles showcased their skillmanship in the E-Class category across each round of competition. In addition to winning the trophy, the skippers were awarded a $5,000 donation, an $8,000 stipend to the junior sailing club of their island and a limited-edition Lady Kayla Bahamas Goombay Punch commemorative can, which will be released soon.

Jonathan Thronebury, Marketing Director of CBC shared the significance behind The Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup.

“The Bahamas Goombay Punch is more than a beloved local brand; it’s a vibrant part of our cultural fabric. Just like sailing, our national sport, it carries a rich legacy that spans generations. Recognizing this shared history, we’re proud to support initiatives that celebrate and advance Bahamian culture,” he said.

Hutchinson and Knowles shared what this win meant for them.

“I felt super proud when I realized we won. I am grateful and thankful to God, for good coaches and Joss. It was really an honor winning the Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup,” Hutchinson expressed.

“I am very honored to have been able to compete in the Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup, I think it is a great concept and idea for a competition and really adds a new motive throughout the regattas. The whole championship was super competitive, and every single race was a fight. Alvington McKenzie was extremely competitive and had us until the Long Island regatta, which made it a very fun and tough competition. Very excited to have been the winner of a super close championship,” Knowles revealed.

Lady Kayla’s owner, Dallas Knowles, shared the team’s winning strategy.

“In sailing consistency is key and our guys in Lady Kayla are some of the best in the business at staying near the top.  In the end, that was enough to secure their first Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup win. We are so proud of Joss and Kianno for what they have done in Lady Kayla.  Thank you to Caribbean Bottling Company for such an amazing and forward-thinking initiative,” Knowles shared.

The Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup is proud to continue its impact on sailing and community building through clean and fair competition.

For more updates on the Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup and Caribbean Bottling Company visit the website www.cbcbahamas.com today.

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Caribbean Bottling Supports the 27th Basketball Smiles Week  

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NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers of Coca-Cola and Dasani products, is proud to once again support Basketball Smiles for their 27th year.

Upholding its corporate pillar of community outreach, CBC proudly donated $2,000, over 75 cases of Dasani, Powerade and Sprite, reusable Powerade water bottles and numerous marketing materials.

The annual sporting summer camp offers free basketball and life skills training to Junior and High School students.

Basketball Smiles’ mission of developing leadership qualities while fostering children’s academic achievement and self-esteem aligns perfectly with CBC’s commitment to supporting and empowering youth.

Jazmin Darling, Assistant Marketing Manager for Caribbean Bottling Company shared why the company continues to support this program each year.

“At CBC, we believe investing in our youth is one of the greatest ways to strengthen our communities. We’re proud to support Basketball Smiles each year because it goes beyond the game. This program champions healthy lifestyles, positive values and brighter futures. It’s a privilege to play a role in helping these young athletes reach their full potential each year,” she shared.

Sam Nicholls, Basketball Smiles Camp President and Founder expressed.

“Caribbean Bottling Company is an incredible partner. We are truly grateful for their generous support, which will go a long way in making a positive impact on the lives of our campers,” Nicholls expressed.

CBC is always ready to lend its support toward initiatives and programs that uplift young Bahamians. The impact Basketball Smiles makes on the community is undeniable and is why CBC remains a historic sponsor.

For more information on sponsorship, events and new products, visit www.cbcbahamas.com today.

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