Jamaica Plans Islandwide Food Safety Outreach for World Food Safety Day

Jamaica is preparing to mark World Food Safety Day on June 7, joining the global observance being held under the theme “From burden to solution, safe food everywhere”.

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that foodborne diseases affect about 600 million people worldwide each year, a figure health officials say reinforces the importance of maintaining strong food-safety habits.

Dr. Sydonnie Thompson Gyles, Director of Policy Programme for Veterinary Public Health in the Ministry of Health and Wellness, said the country is working to move beyond responding after problems arise and towards preventing them before they occur.

“The theme for World Food Safety Day… really speaks to the progress that we are making, not just globally but even here in Jamaica. We know that foodborne illnesses continue to place a significant burden on our health system, our productivity, and even our economy, so we’re actively trying to prevent them,” she said.

Dr. Thompson Gyles, who also chairs the National Agricultural Health and Food Safety Coordinating Committee (NAHFSCC), made the comments during a recent interview with JIS News.

She said activities are planned in every parish for World Food Safety Day. “Each of the departments will be engaging in activities. There are webinars, booths will be set up in town centres throughout the island and the main focus is just to spread awareness on food safety to all Jamaicans,” she said.

Dr. Thompson Gyles urged Jamaicans to pay closer attention to what they consume and to follow safe practices when preparing, handling and storing food.

“There’s so much information online as it relates to food safety and things that we can do. Some of the steps are so simple. Hand washing is one of the biggest steps that we can take, making sure that our foods are from safe sources as well as making sure that we prepare our foods and store them appropriately,” she said.