Troupe accused of ‘creating hysteria’ over reports of dumped meat removed from landfill
Published:Sunday | March 23, 2025 | 9:51 PMChristopher Thomas/Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
There was a heated exchange between councillors Charles Sinclair and Michael Troupe during the St James Municipal Corporation’s (StJMC) monthly meeting last Thursday over Troupe’s insistence that persons are reportedly removing spoiled meat from the Retirement landfill, despite the health department having no such reports.
Troupe, who is councillor for the Granville division, steadfastly maintained the allegation was true despite acting chief public health inspector Sherika Lewis’ assertion that policies are in place to ensure the responsible dumping of food items.
“Re meat being disposed of at the Retirement landfill, and that meat being sold and used in the market and food handling establishments in the vicinity of the landfill, the St James Health Department has not conducted any disposal of meat or any other foods since the start of this year,” said Lewis. “I stand resolute that the health department provides supervision from the point of condemnation to disposal of any condemned food item.”
Troupe, in reply, said: “I spoke to an official at the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA), and I have spoken to residents around there in Retirement, and they confirmed that meat was dumped at the Retirement dump. I do not know if it is a private individual [who is responsible], but meat was dumped at the Retirement dump. I listened to your report, and I am still convinced that there are some irregularities taking place at the dump.”
However, Sinclair, the councillor for the Montego Bay North East division, took Troupe to task, accusing him of spreading hysteria without evidence of his claims, a charge that Troupe did not take kindly.
“You do not come into a meeting that is broadcast to the public for the purpose of creating hysteria; that is irresponsible. You know what my responsible approach would be? Either I am going to verify it, or I am going to report it to the relevant authority for them to go verify it,” said Sinclair.
“I am a liar, is that what you are saying?” a not-too-pleased Troupe asked.
“I am not saying that you are a liar, I am just saying that you are creating hysteria without any evidence, and you are supposed to be responsible,” Sinclair shot back.
“The dump is an open space, and people are dumping there and they dump morning, noon, and night. I am telling you that meat was dumped at the municipal dump in Retirement. Go there and find out for yourself and do not come bullying anyone here,” Troupe said in response.
Meanwhile, Lafaine Wiggan, the community relations officer at the NSWMA’s Western Parks and Markets Limited, said while her organisation has not received any such reports about dumped meat being removed from the landfill, checks would be made to provide an update for the next meeting.
Reports of dumped meat being retrieved and sold to unsuspecting persons are not new or unique to St James. In 2015, news surfaced that vendors in Kingston were collecting rejected meat from the Riverton City disposal site and selling it for as little as $110 per pound. The practice was said to have continued at that facility up to 2018.
The Food and Drugs Act makes it an offence to sell food deemed unfit for human consumption. Any person found in breach is liable to a fine of up to $1 million or a prison term of up to 12 months.