KINGSTON, Jamaica — The National Food Handlers Permit Programme is to be modernised, moving from an annual renewal to every two years following Cabinet’s approval of amendments to the Public Health Act, the Public Health (Food Handling) Regulations and Public Health (Tourist Establishment) Regulations.

The announcement was made by Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr Christopher Tufton at a post-Cabinet press briefing held at the Office of the Prime Minister on Wednesday.

The move is expected to significantly reduce the volume of applications processed by Parish Health Departments and streamline the administrative workflow associated with the programme.

Tufton said the change is intended to improve efficiency and service delivery while strengthening the capacity of public health teams to focus on compliance and enforcement.

Tufton maintained that this would not result in a reduction in food safety oversight.

“Food establishments and food handlers will continue to be subject to public health requirements, inspections and enforcement measures and public health departments will retain the authority to take appropriate action where breaches of food safety requirements are identified,” he said.

The proposed amendments form part of the Government’s broader efforts to modernise public health systems, improve the ease of doing business and strengthen the delivery of services to citizens, while maintaining the safeguards necessary to protect public health.