safety steps

Central Board of Health Antigua and Barbuda (CBH) – One of the many responsibilities of the Central Board of Health, is to ensure that safe and wholesome food is being prepared and served to the general public.

Last Saturday night (20.0.2024), staff from the Public Health Department conducted rapid inspections in St. John’s City. Focus was placed on the possession of a food handlers ID, the presence of a hand washing station, and time and temperature abuse of food. There were many food safety infractions which led to the discontinuation of food for sale to the public.

A total of sixteen (16) vendors were inspected, 12 vendors were instructed to cease the preparation and sale of food, 10 vendors were operating without a hand washing bucket, while 12 vendors were without a valid food safety badge.

Three (3) vendors held food at the wrong temperature, and food items were seized and disposed of from 4 vendors. A meeting was held on Monday 22nd April at the Central Board of Health office, with the owner of the businesses who were instructed to cease the preparation of food.

The Central Board of Health is appealing to food vendors to obtain a valid food safety badge, and to be incompliant with the recommendations given in order to resume the preparation and sale of food.

In addition, the homes and businesses must be inspected before reopening. There will be a special food safety training on Thursday 25th April, for those businesses who were instructed to cease the preparation of food for public consumption.

Food Vendors must register no later than Tuesday 23rd April, at the Central Board of Health office on Upper Church Street for the food safety training.