BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE shelves of supermarkets and groceries have begun being packed with Bonlé evaporated milk, just four months after Cabinet announced its decision to replace Carnation evaporated milk on the list of price-regulated commodities.

Imported by Food Centre Ltd., the Bonlé evaporated milk was officially introduced to the market yesterday (Aug. 11) during a press conference hosted by the Ministry of Trade and Consumers Affairs.

According to the Director of the Bureau of Standards, Hiram Williams, the product went through a series of tests that include micro-biology and chemical to ensure the product is fit for human consumption and also to determine whether its quality is comparable to that of Carnation evaporated milk. Williams noted that the Bonle evaporated milk passed “with flying colours”.

Reports reaching SKNVibes indicate that as early as Friday, August 6, the Bonlé evaporated milk (a product of Peru, packaged by Gloria S. A.) was available for purchase; tins of which were seen in major supermarkets including Best Buy and RAMS.

Minister of Consumer Affairs Dr. the Hon. Timothy Harris explained that Bonlé would not be the only milk available to consumers, but it would be offered at the most competitive price.

“While it is not at a give-away price…we are saying that, at least, we give you the best price that you could have anywhere in the jurisdiction of St. Kitts and Nevis, over which we have control. And so you would not find that anywhere else. In relation to this product, anybody is able to better the Supply Office’s price.  If it is so, we will drop our price and match them.  In fact, we commit to even going two points below them just to maintain our credibility.
 
“Our intention is not really to lock the milk in; because where there was Carnation of Dutch Lady, other milks were there. It’s just you are not going to get them as subsidised. All we are attempting to do is to ensure that no mother at Phillips, in Old Road, St. Pauls, McKnight (or) anywhere in the country should be able to say ‘I can’t get milk, I can’t get the calcium I need.  My children are deficient because the price of milk is too high’.”

In an attempt to dispel any misconceptions that consumers might have concerning the Bonle milk, the Senior Minister explained that often times products are similar, save for their branding.

 “When you have a supplier that is the largest producer in the world of any product…essentially they are producing comparative and, depending on their market orientation, they do different labels but the product is essentially the same. It’s only in people’s head between Carnation and Bonle. Having done the expert analyses from the vantage point of chemistry, micro-biology, from the point of labelling, they are comparable; because it is the same company that markets its products different ways…”

A 410 grams (large) tin of Bonlé evaporate milk retails at major supermarkets for $2.07.