The Environmental Health Department continues to stress the importance of safe food handling during this festive season since improper handling can contribute significantly to the potential of food-borne disease outbreaks. Throughout the events, the main goal of the department is to prevent or minimize the risk of food-borne illnesses and maximize the safety of participants, spectators, event staff, and volunteers.
“Vendors at events such as the [World] Creole Music Festival and Ti Vilaj Kweyol have a greater responsibility in preparing, storing and presenting quality food in a safe and sanitary manner,” Representative from the Environmental Health Department, Calma Louis said while addressing a WCMF press conference this week.
According to her, vendors should ensure that they comply with the requirements set out by the Environmental Health Department to have warmers that will be used for hot and cold foods, adequate cold storage to provide for frozen foods and raw meat items, such as seasoned chicken and meat to be placed in a separate cooler on ice.
Louis also cautioned vendors that they should not use the same ice used for storing meats to serve drinks.
“Hand washing stations are equipped with disposable towel papers and liquid hand soap…,” she said. “All staff must be properly attired with hair nets, aprons, no long fingernails, no sleeveless, no flip flop, and no children in the bar.”
Louis made it clear that a valid food handler’s permit should be available and visible at all workstations. Additionally, she made it clear that patrons and consumers have the responsibility to ensure that they look out for the food handlers who are properly attired, whose ID cards are displayed, and who maintain the proper temperature of foods.
“We are also monitoring both solid and liquid activities, inspecting food stalls, to include main food court areas, artistes and media refreshment areas,” she stated. “Food vendors are subjected to monitoring at all times and therefore the Environmental Health Department is seeking the full cooperation of all vendors during this event.”
Louis went on to state that so far, over the years there have been no reports of any food-borne illnesses as a result of the World Creole Music Festival events from vendors or patrons.
“Let me remind everyone that food-borne disease can be a very widespread effect and can lead to death,” she noted.
She continued, “Although the Environmental Health Department has a pivotal role in ensuring that all food offered for sale is wholesome and sanitary, food safety is everyone’s responsibility.”
Meanwhile, she pointed out that in support of this event, the Department of Health has organized additional food handlers educational sessions to ensure that all food handlers have a knowledge of food hygiene.
She revealed that the first session was held on Thursday, October 12, at 4:30 p.m., another will be held on Monday, October 16, at 9:00 a.m., and Wednesday, October 18, at 4:30 p.m.
All these sessions will be held downstairs at the Dominica Public Service Union ( DPSU) Building.
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