[UPDATED] PRODUCTS PULLED

AFTER its brand was bashed mercilessly on social media because of inflammatory and insulting comments made by a family member, Ramsaran’s Dairy Products continued to face backlash with Massy Stores, Xtra Foods, along with four other stores, deciding to pull all of its drinks products from grocery shelves.

The company has been around since the 1940s and is known for selling beverages such as peanut punch, orange juice, mauby, milk and others. Naila Ramsaran – said to be a close relative of owner Rishi Ramsaran – took to Facebook after Monday’s general election to share her thoughts on the PNM beating the UNC 22-19. According to LinkedIn, she has been an accountant at the company since 2013.

She posted on social media: “Let us hard-working UNC supporters continue to pay taxes and mind the loafers that support the PNM. We really live in a bleddy banana republic yes.”

She added, “I hope Rowley starts putting contraceptives in their water supply yes because these cockroaches keep populating and the only thing they know to do is vote.”

After receiving backlash and several calls for a boycott, Naila Ramsaran apologised on social media saying she prides herself in “always being fair and giving the best customer service.”

“To clarify the context of my screenshots, they were posted out of anger and in response to years of racial discrimination and criminal acts against myself and my family in the last few years. I understand that this does not justify my reaction but I do hope that you accept my apology and respect my family and their businesses’ privacy by not defaming the business. I appreciate everyone who reached out to me and engaged in a discussion as to why this comment was hurtful/racist. I am truly apologetic and have learnt the impact my words have had.

“It is never my intention now and in the future to engage or promote any form of racism. I accept total responsibility and hope that we can all move forward respectfully and peacefully.”

Her account has since been deactivated.

PRODUCTS PULLED

Reports then began circulating on social media on Wednesday afternoon, that several supermarkets began removing Ramsaran’s products from its shelves. Supermarket Association president Rajiv Diptee confirmed to Newsday that at least five stores had indicated such plans. In a statement, Massy Stores said, “Massy Stores operates as a responsible retailer and we make every effort to align ourselves with partners who hold similar values. We have listened to our customers and have taken a decision to remove Ramsaran’s products from our shelves at this time and temporarily suspend the ordering of this product.” And Xtra Foods also issued a statement saying, “As a responsible retailer, Xtra Foods makes every effort to align itself with partners who hold similar values to ours. We value our customer’s feedback, and we listen to them. As such, we have decided to remove Ramsaran products from our shelves at this time and suspend the ordering of this product at all our stores.”

When initially contacted, both of these supermarkets had told Newsday they were not pulling the company’s products. But after the rumours on social media began going viral, confirmation was sent to media. But Diptee made it clear, while the association can “make strong suggestions,” it cannot demand other supermarkets to do the same. He said while some may continue selling the products, in the end, it’s up to the consumer to decide to buy or not.

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However, in a press release issued after he spoke to Newsday, titled “Boycott of Ramsaran Products,” the association told its members, “A boycott of Ramsaran’s Dairy Products is to be undertaken immediately.” The release said it has taken note of the very derogatory statements made by a member of the Ramsaran family. “These divisive and inflammatory comments do not belong in our multi-ethnic society...This (boycott) will stay in place until such time that the company seeks the appropriate remedial action in a consistent and satisfactory manner.”

This story was originally published with the title "Massy pulls Ramsaran products, temporarily halts orders" and has been adjusted to include additional details. See original post below.

MASSY Stores has confirmed it has pulled Ramsaran Dairy Products from its shelves.

The Ramsaran brand has been in hot water on social media over the past 24 hours after highly inflammatory and insulting comments from a member of the owner’s family went viral.

Naila Ramsaran – said to be a close relative of owner Rishi Ramsaran – took to Facebook after Monday’s general election, saying, “Let us hardworking UNC supporters continue to pay taxes and mind the loafers that support the PNM. We really live in a bleddy banana republic yes."

She then added, “I hope Rowley starts putting contraceptives in their water supply yes because these cockroaches keep populating and the only thing they know to do is vote.”

After receiving backlash, she apologised saying she prides herself in “always being fair and giving the best customer service.

“To clarify the context of my screenshots, they were posted out of anger and in response to years of racial discrimination and criminal acts against myself and my family in the last few years. I understand that this does not justify my reaction but I do hope that you accept my apology and respect my family and their businesses’ privacy by not defaming the business.”

Reports began circulating on social media on Wednesday afternoon that some supermarkets began removing Ramsaran’s products from its shelves. Supermarket Associations’ President confirmed to Newsday that at least five stores had indicated such plans.

In a statement, Massy Stores said, “Massy Stores operates as a responsible retailer and we make every effort to align ourselves with partners who hold similar values. We have listened to our customers and have taken a decision to remove Ramsaran products from our shelves at this time and temporarily suspend the ordering of this product."