KINGSTON, Jamaica – In a major overhaul, the food handlers permit which is required for work in food and other establishments will now be issued for two years, instead of one.

Minister of Health and Wellness, Christopher Tufton made the announcement on Tuesday during his contribution to the Sectoral Debate at Gordon House. He said there were far too many complaints about the excessive wait times for food handlers permits.

“More than 300,000 Jamaicans have to apply and reapply each year, sometimes waiting up to six months to go through the process. It is inefficient and supports non-compliance. We have to fix it,” Tufton stated.

He shared that the Environmental Health Division of the Ministry of Health and Wellness will spearhead the overhaul and transformation of the National Food Handlers Training & Certification Programme.

This will result in the following:

• extension of the term for a food handlers permit renewal from one to two years;
• the introduction of convenient bill payment service options, effective January 1, 2026;
• implementation of a bi-modal modular training format to reduce certification-processing time from three weeks to two weeks;
• introduction of new technology to facilitate faster and more efficient processing to eliminate delays and backlogs;
• an increase in the cadre of professionally-trained food handlers to reduce the risk of outbreaks linked to improper food handling, and
• an increase in application access points, reducing wait time while enhancing the delivery process.

– Lynford Simpson