FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

First, we begin with purified water. A concentrated (flavoured) syrup is added to the water, chilled, then carbonated. The beverage is then filled into sterilized cans or bottles, labeled and packaged. We also manufacture our own tetra packs and bottles at SM Jaleel. Every stage of the process is automated so that the product is never touched by any person.

Chubby which is produced in Canada by the Cott Corporation, is Kosher and has a Kosher symbol on the label.

Depending on the juice product, we use either a frozen concentrate or the juice from freshly squeezed fruit. When the concentrate is used, the mixture is diluted to a desired consistency. At this stage, the other ingredients including sugar, flavours, and colours are added to complete the mixture. Once it all comes together, the mixture is pasteurized at a specific temperature, for a specific time. The hot product is then filled into special PET bottles, Tetra packs (juice boxes) or cans, and cooled. Every stage of the process is automated so that the product is never touched by any person.

When purifying water we do the following:

a. Chlorinate basic water
b. Filtrate the chlorinated water through a sand bed
c. Filtrate through an activated carbon bed
d. Filtrate through a polisher filter
e. Effect UV irradiation
f. Reverse Osmosis membranes
g. Complete the process with Ozonation.

We are vigilant about ensuring quality, and safe procedures. We test and formulate all our products in accordance with the current standards of each country we operate in.

-There is an ongoing environmental effort at SM Jaleel. We sell all post industrial material (returned bottles, cans and plastic), cardboard, pallets and metal drums to recycling companies.

-We also have shredding machines both in Barbados, which shred returned plastic (PET) bottles (post consumption). The shredded plastic is packed in sacks and exported to international recycling companies. The PET flakes are used by these companies to make various things like carpeting, wall insulation, and polyester t-shirts.

-We buy large quantities of oranges and grapefruit from local farmers for use in our freshly squeezed juice products (for Trinidad Juices – Not from concentrate). The peel from these fruit is processed to make animal feed.

We complement our recycling efforts by re-using discarded material on the plant for other functions.

-Approximately 10% of all virgin (rejected) bottles before being filled are sterilized and re-injected into the line.

-We re-use the liners that come with the pallets of empty cans, for lining the sugar pallets, and the stacked finished product.

-We also collect any wasted water in special pipe lines, and re-use for cooling equipment on the plant.

We have been making our PET bottles lighter in weight since 2004, by using less material in its composition. This in turn creates less post consumer waste.

The best before date and manufacturing code is printed in black ink on each SMJ product. For PET bottles, it is printed in the neck area of the bottle. For cans, the best before date is printed below the can, and for Tetrapak packs, it is printed at the top of the pack.

For products that contain artificial sweeteners we use Sucralose (Splenda®), Acesulfame K (Sunnett®) and Aspartame (Nutrasweet®)

Mauby is a type of buckthorn bark, or Colubrina elliptica, found in the Caribbean. It is boiled with sugar to produce either a tea or syrup. The syrup is diluted with either sparkling or plain water to produce a refreshing drink. It is non alcoholic and can be varied according to taste. Some people add cinnamon or vanilla extract to help balance out the bitter aftertaste.

Yes.

PET stands for Polyethylene terephthalate. It is a special, easily recyclable plastic material (resin), from the polyester family, used in synthetic fibers and beverage/food containers. It is used almost exclusively in the manufacture of soft drink (plastic) bottles because it is easier to break down and recycle, than most other plastic products.

Chubby is available with 25% less sugar in the following countries:
-Canada
-St. Lucia
-St. Vincent & The Grenadines
-Barbados
-Commonwealth of Dominica

We buy their crops (oranges and grapefruit) for our freshly squeezed juice products, and supply the farmers with animal feed.

There are various precautions that need to be adhered to when stacking and storing the product. They are listed below:

Always:

-Stack product at the proper height. Each product has a specific amount of levels to be stacked at when placed on a pallet. A pallet is a sturdy wooden base which acts a holding crate for the cases of product. For example, when stacking the 200ml and 1 litre Tetra packs (like Fruta), the maximum stacking height is seven layers high.

-Use the FIFO (First in First Out) system for stock rotation. Products that are first off the production line, is packaged and stocked first.

-Make sure to remove any damaged product from the lot.

-If you use forklifts, minimize product damage by operating the forklifts carefully, and store in a clean, dry area.

-Keep cases horizontal during storage and handling.

-Make sure the pallets are sturdy and safe for holding the product before stacking.

Never:

-Never place heavy objects on top of the cases.

-Never throw cases when handling.

-Never store product in direct sunlight, extreme temperatures, or expose to rain.