700 SSA workers attend Crop Over picnic at Three Houses Park

The Manager of the Sanitation Service Authority acknowledged the hard work so far this Crop Over put in by SSA employees with a picnic held at Three Houses Park in St Philip – workers enjoyed themselves and believe the event should become an annual occasion.

A deejay with a powerful Hi-Fi had the crowd bobbing with all the latest tunes of the season as well as those from back in the day.

Workers with their families made for 700 people enjoying the festivities.

The SSA’s Manager, Stanton Alleyne, personally spoke with staff to let them know how much they’re appreciated.

It took a mighty rain in the late afternoon to finally thin the crowd, which eventually started drifting home around six in the evening.

The partygoers then made sure all remnants of the day were carefully disposed of as they continue to keep Barbados clean.

FOOD SAFETY A PRIORITY THIS CROP OVER - SSA JOINS WITH BLACKROCK POLYCLINIC TO EDUCATE VENDORS

In preparation for this year’s Crop Over Festival, the Ministry of Health will be continuing its efforts to improve food handling techniques so as to minimise food borne diseases. This will be done through a five day Health Exposition.

 It will come off on the grounds of the Black Rock Polyclinic, from Monday, July 21, to Friday July 25, under the theme ‘Eating at your Festival is Safe’. 

 It is expected that on each day of the Exposition some 60 food handlers will attend the session and they will be issued with permits at the end.

On Monday, July 21; Wednesday, July 23; and Friday, July 25; the sessions start at 6:00 p.m.; while on Tuesday, July 22, and Thursday, July 24, they will start at 5:00 p.m.

Facilitators for the event include representatives from the Fire Service, who will give tips on fire prevention and safety; the Sanitation Service Authority and the Solid Waste Management Unit, who will speak on methods of managing refuse in outdoor catering; and Health Sisters from the polyclinic, who will discuss health issues including first aid and safety.

Environmental Health Officers will focus on food safety and sanitation, through practical displays showcasing equipment used in the food service industry. They will also provide tips on disaster preparedness.

In addition, chefs and stall holders will assist with demonstrations on accurate food preparation, storage and transportation methods.

Persons interested in obtaining further information on the Health Exposition, may contact the Black Rock Polyclinic, at 421-7209, 438-9624 or 425-6950 Ext. 5026, 5034,5035, or 5036. 

PROPER HYGIENE PRACTICES FOR HANDLING FOOD AT ALL TIMES INCL. CROP OVER & KADOOMENT

A valid medical certificate is a must for stall owners and food handlers dealing with the preparation and sale of food at Crop Over events.

This reminder comes from the Chief Environmental Health Officer (Ag), Desmond King, who is also advising individuals that the certificate should be presented on the request of the Environmental Health Officer.

The advice is part of guidelines, developed by the Environmental Health Division to ensure that operators and their assistants maintain proper hygiene practices when serving the public, whether at Bridgetown Market, Cohobblopot, or Kadooment.

When serving food stall owners and assistants must wear head covering or hair restraints; no nail polish should be worn and nails should be trimmed and kept clean and no jewellery should be worn on the hands or around the neck.

Food handlers are also reminded that no sleeveless tops or vests should be worn when preparing or serving food; that light and single coloured shirts, tops or aprons should be worn and smoking is prohibited in food stalls.

The Environmental Health Division is also advising that food handlers be free of infected burns, boils, cuts or respiratory illnesses. They should wash their hands frequently and thoroughly (particularly before beginning work, after handling raw foods & after using the toilet) in order to prevent the contamination of food. Food handlers should use disposable paper towels and never wipe hands on aprons or clothing.

The chewing of gum or eating while preparing or serving food is also prohibited and the Division is suggesting that food handlers refrain from picking the nose, touching pimples and scratching the head or face.

Guidelines for the handling and storage of food should be adhered to at all times during this year’s Crop Over events.

Mr King is warning stall owners and food handlers that they must cooperate fully with the Environmental Health Officer and comply with the Health Services Food Hygiene Regulations (1969 CAP. 44). 

The penalty for violating the Regulations is a fine of $5,000 and, or imprisonment for 12 months.

There are several food handling and storage guidelines, which have been developed by the Environmental Health Division.

Individuals are reminded that they should store all foodstuff and water at least 18 inches from the ground; food and potable water must be stored in clean, covered containers and water storage containers should be fitted with taps.

Raw and prepared foods should be stored properly, for instance in covered containers, and they should be stored separately. Raw meat and meat products must be stored in small parcels.

According to the Division, all potentially hazardous foods including meat, chicken, fish and sausages, must be stored between layers of ice so as to keep the food at or below 40ºF.

There should be a constant supply of ice, and ice used for the storage of meat, fish or drinks, must not be used in the drinks when serving.

In addition, food handlers and assistants should never store or drag ice on the ground. When serving ice, scoops should be used, and the handle must never come in to contact with the ice.

Only wholesome canned foods should be used. Contents should be removed from the can immediately after opening or piercing, particularly in the case of high acid foods, such as fruit juices and sauces. Egg should not be used in batters and fish cake batters should not be stored in large containers (e.g. five gallon pails) but rather in containers small enough to be kept at a temperature of less than 40ºF.

Food handlers should not prepare large amounts of food unless there is provision to keep the food at or above 140º F or below 40ºF. They should use tongs when serving food (hands should not be used to serve food). All equipment and implements should be kept clean and sanitised.

Clean glasses or cups must be picked up by their bases but stall owners should consider the use of disposable cups and plates. Operators are further reminded that they should not touch the food contact surfaces of plates, and forks with their hands and should clean and sanitise knives and other utensils when switching from one product to another (for instance raw chicken to bread) to prevent cross contamination. 

WASTE MANAGEMENT HIGH ON AGENDA OF DAVID THOMPSON REGIME - PLEDGE FROM ENVIRONMENT MINISTER DURING TOUR

Government is currently exploring several options regarding how it can properly manage its solid waste programme. Minister of the Environment, Dr. Esther Byer-Suckoo, revealed this today after touring B’s Bottle Depot, Cane Garden, St. Thomas, and Ocean Park, Balls Complex, Christ Church.

According to her, this exercise had become necessary since landfill space was becoming limited because of the huge amount of waste generated by householders.

She commended the management of B’s Bottle Deport for “shifting a lot of stuff that is not bio-degradable from our landfill”.

“… those are the kinds of initiative that we want to encourage. Government is also putting some emphasis on innovation that benefits all Barbadians,” the Minister said.

B’s Bottle Depot’s mission is to maximise the diversion of waste from the landfill towards recycling and it collects plastic and glass bottles, cans, metals, vehicle bumpers and discarded batteries.

Meanwhile, Dr. Byer-Suckoo is looking forward to the introduction of the Environmental Management Act, which she said would be very important for Barbados. “We started to review the Act because other environmental issues have come up which would not have been addressed in that original draft. Things like the management of discarded cell phones, batteries, printers and computers.

“We have a lot of new issues to deal with, so we have to make sure that the legislation we bring not only addresses today’s issues, but looks ahead. Any legislation that is passed now must be able to take us into 2025 and beyond,” she stressed.

Turning her attention to Ocean Park, the Minister said there were a lot of children who had no idea of what happened under water and she said that the park offered children an opportunity to develop their awareness so they could have an appreciation for the delicate balance of the ocean.

She described a tour of the Park as educational and a must for school children.