The matter came up for discussion as the Barbados office of the Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO) held a virtual press briefing this afternoon to mark World Food Safety Day, which is to be observed on Sunday.
Sub-Regional Representative for the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), Renata Clarke, said: “Thankfully COVID-19 was not a foodborne disease, but this pandemic has escalated the challenges in the food distribution system regarding how food reaches its destination and food market accessibility. It has also highlighted the need to strengthen the food system control mechanisms.”
In underscoring the importance of food safety regulations and their enforcement, PAHO/WHO representative for Barbados, the Eastern Caribbean, United Kingdom Overseas Territories and French Departments, Dr Yitades Gebre, said: “Worldwide, 50 people die every hour from food safety-related infections, while 14 children die from foodborne illnesses every hour.
He commended Caribbean governments throughout his ‘catchment area’ for managing the spread of COVID-19 in their individual countries.
In noting that throughout the Caribbean, many of those who lost their jobs during the pandemic turned to growing crops in their backyards in order to earn a living, Clarke said it was important for them to learn all aspects of their operations, including the correct use of pesticides, and to follow safe food handling procedures as they tried to sell their produce.
She said: “Since the pandemic, there has been a greater focus on intra-regional trade in food items, so PAHO/WHO is working with regional ministries of agriculture and trade to harmonise food safety standards.
