THE Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce (MIIC) will continue to work closely with local and international development partners, various ministries, departments and agencies of government, to ensure that food produced in Jamaica is fit for local consumption and export.

Minister of state in the Ministry Dr Norman Dunn gave the assurance as he addressed a World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW) symposium on November 24 at the Regional Headquarters, University of the West Indies, Mona Campus.

The symposium, which was held under the theme ‘Preventing Antimicrobial Resistance Together’, was one of the activities for WAAW, which was observed from November 18 to 24.

“Efforts need to be strengthened to reduce exposure to pathogens such as bacteria or chemical residue along the value chain in order to safeguard the strides that Jamaica has been making in manufacturing, agriculture and the growing productive sector,” Dunn said.

These, he added, include the sale and consumption of food, for which there are several international guidelines on trade to inform Jamaica’s legislative and regulatory response.

The state minister pointed out that there are agencies within the ministry that are charged with specific responsibilities to safeguard Jamaica’s trading reputation while advancing appropriate safety, sanitation and hygiene standards.