Basseterre, St. Kitts, August 12, 2021 (SKNIS): Stuart Laplace, Director of St. Kitts & Nevis Bureau of Standards (SKNBS), said that labelling forms an important part of the marketing of a product, therefore, persons and entities should consider labelling their products properly to encourage potential buyers to purchase the product.
Mr. Laplace was at the time speaking to the issue of labelling during the August 11, 2021, edition of ‘Working for You’. He noted that from the SKNBS standpoint labelling is one of the main issues in St. Kitts and Nevis.
“We know persons are trying to be creative and are trying to sell their products but at the same time we recognize that persons are using nutraceuticals and placing pharmaceutical claims,” said Mr. Laplace, adding that “nutraceutical would be something that you would traditionally use that has not been scientifically proven.”
“So, you may say something, for instance, this drink cures cancer or it would make all your headaches and pains go away if you consume this drink. All of those are nutraceutical claims so it is important that you have that disclaimer on your label,” he said. “We are not saying it cannot go on, what we are saying is you should have that disclaimer on it that says something like – traditionally used for menstrual pains, cramps, headaches, cancer… and then it makes it more legitimate in terms of a claim.”
Another example used is that of natural spring water. Director Laplace said that if something says natural that means “it is not impeded by anything anthropogenic so there are no human hands involved…. So, by saying something like that it can be a trademark name to the point where it is just a name, and you’re not being suggestive to say that this is a natural product.”
Director Laplace said that labelling serves as a communication tool between the manufacturer and the buyer.
“Persons get creative with the labels, but the label is the only line of communication between the persons doing the manufacturing and the person who is doing the purchasing. So that label must inform you significantly so that you can make an informed choice when you are making that purchase.”
