World Food Safety Day: Safeguarding Food for All by Shenequa Williams & Carol-Faye Bynoe-George
Every June 7th marks World Food Safety Day, a global initiative established by the United Nations since 2018. This annual commemoration aims to raise awareness about the importance of safe food and to inspire actions to prevent, detect, and manage foodborne risks. Unsafe food jeopardizes public health, create other associated challenges, making this day crucial as a reminder to producers, manufactures, distributors and consumers alike.
In Antigua and Barbuda like anywhere else, agriculture and fisheries are vital, therefore ensuring food safety is paramount. As a small island nation in the Caribbean, the country relies heavily on imported food which do not necessarily guarantee safe food. The government through the Ministry of Agriculture is currently on the quest to increase food production through Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) that would ensure food safety.
With a bustling tourism industry and a growing population, there is an increasing demand for the availability of safe and nutritious food. Through the Ministry of Agriculture, the country has implemented stringent regulations and standards to govern food production, processing, and distribution. These regulations were designed to ensure that food sold in the country meets the highest standards of quality and safety.
There are educational and training programmes, safe practices, and sustainable methods to empower food handlers and consumers alike. Although challenges, such as limited resources and Climate Change persist, producers are inspired and motivated by the Ministry through subsides, concessions and technical assistance. It is believed that by embracing sustainable methods, new technology, international, regional and local partnerships, Antigua and Barbuda can expand and fortify its food production and food safety systems.
On this day, let’s renew our dedication to provide safe, nutritious food for everyone in Antigua and Barbuda. Through collaborative efforts, we can ensure that no one suffers from foodborne diseases/illnesses and that safe food remains accessible to all, both locally and globally.



