Wednesday, July 26, 2006

Honourable Arden McLean Minister of Communications, Works and Infrastructure.

Food vendors of any size, now face the risk of being prosecuted, or, having their operations shut down, if they don't use the next four weeks to ensure that their operations comply with guidelines set by the Department of Environmental Health (DEH) and Cayman Islands Public Health Law.

More than three years ago was the last time an all-force operation involving the Department of Environmental Health (DEH), the Trade and Business Licensing Department, the Police, the Planning Department, as well as the Immigration Department, was staged in Cayman - targeted at food vendors.

According to Hon Arden McLean, Minster of Communications, Works and Infrastructure, the operation will target a range of facilities from street-side jerk and other operations, private dwellings that sell hot or cold food, to individuals that prepare food and sell from motor vehicles.

Mr McLean made the announcement of the Government's move against the illegal sale of food on 21 July 2006 at a Media Briefing by Cabinet Ministers.

He said that the operation should not be seen as "draconian" because, if the matter of proper food sale were not dealt with, Public Health would be at risk from food poisoning contamination - an ailment that could lead to a range of physiological problems, including dehydration, kidney failure or death.

After placing the public's health at the top of the risk-list, Mr McLean next added Cayman's image - especially as a tourist destination - should the issues relating to the proper handling and sale of food not be addressed with urgency.

According to Mr McLean, the Department of Environmental Health (DEH) is on "high-alert."

He said that the DEH would be "conducting inspections" and would be on the watch for operations where staff did not have the requisite training and where there was "unsafe food handling."

Another red flag at facilities for the DEH would be evidence of "poor temperature control," for keeping cooked food - where micro-organisms could be prevalent.

Mr McLean included the lack of basic hygiene facilities for washing hands regularly; the unavailability of toilets; poor personal hygiene; inadequate water supply and the absence of hot water facilities; the accumulation of waste water and grease in the surrounding area; and other items, as factors that would signal cause for DEH action.

Mr McLean said that after inspection, "one month will be (allowed for persons to) bring operations up to required standards."

The Minister asked that his announcement be viewed as "an appeal to operators to get regulated."

To substantiate this point, and also that the move should not be seen as draconian, Mr McLean said, "I applaud entrepreneurs but we (they) have to do it right. We have to ensure that people do not expose themselves to liability."

Emphasising the positive aspects of the food-control plan, Mr McLean said that during the last operation in 2003 - when some 24 vendors were issued with orders to cease operations - many facilities actually made use of the time to enhance their operations and "they are operating nicely now."

Mr McLean said that the operation was being re-launched now because, since Hurricane Ivan, the number of illegal facilities that "need to be brought under control" has increased - even though he was not able to give a precise figure for the scale of the problem at this stage.

Mr McLean confirmed that Business certificates should be displayed at facilities meeting required standards.

Asked about fish being sold on the beach Mr McLean said it was part of a tradition in Cayman, adding that the fish sold at these points are fresh from a fishing catch and are not hazardous to health.

However, he advised that all businesses should consult the DEH about their operations.

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