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Food safety
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As the 2022 Christmas season approaches, Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment, is encouraging the public to work together with the department help prevent, detect and manage food-borne diseases and risks, so as to maintain and improve our health. 

For this season the theme “Safer Food, Better Health” will be adopted and the public is asked to practise food habits that are in harmony with this theme. 

“It is important to note that safe food is essential to health and wellbeing, as well as a guarantor for good health,” the ministry said in a press release. 

“Definitely, benefits of safe food include improved nutrition and health, reduced absenteeism in schools and workplaces and ultimately an improvement in health and wellbeing.”

The ministry said that considering that there are multiple stakeholders who engage in food servicing at this time, the Public Health Department is asking that five key food safety measures be observed and practiced:

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  • The use of safe water and raw materials;
  • Cooking food thoroughly;
  • Keeping the surroundings and food contact surfaces clean;
  • Separating raw food from cook food; and
  • Keeping food at safe temperatures.

The ministry is also appealing  to food businesses, including of butchering and slaughtering service providers, to comply with the  food safety guidelines and engage employees, suppliers and other stakeholders to develop and practice a culture of food safety and hygiene. 

“In an effort to support this food safety and hygienic initiative, the Public Health Department will be deploying inspectors throughout the state to provide meat and other food inspection services. “As a result, we are kindly requesting your usual support and corporation as we continue to work together towards Safer Food and Better Health,” the ministry said.