Health unit clamps down on fish and poultry processing plants

May 11, 2009 News

The Environmental Health Unit has been accelerating its program in ensuring that there is safe meat on the market.

This is according to Minister of Health, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy who noted that the Veterinary Public Health Department has been visiting a number of food centers in Georgetown. Dr. Ramsammy stressed that this action is in no way related to swine only, but added that the Ministry still needs to ensure that people have safe food, which includes fish and poultry.

He explained that there is a public law, which states that all fish and poultry processing plants must be audited and certified by the Ministry of Health in the first quarter in the year.

In this regard, 65 percent of them were audited and certified by the Ministry, while 15 out of 20 fish processing plants have also been audited and certified.

“In the past, we have always done this, but we took our time… sometimes it takes a whole year for us to do this. We are making sure that they are in accordance with the law and this is not because of H1N1,” the Health Minister said.

Thus far, a total of 103 fishing vessels have been audited and certified for this year. In fact, the health workers have also certified the fish itself, making sure it is safe, as the Health Ministry has certified 3.9 million kg of fish.

The Ministry had reasons to test 14 fish samples for microbiological bacteria as Minister Ramsammy explained that these testing exercises are not routine but part of the job.

He outlined that the Heath Department have been more proactive and are working with Fisherman’s Co op Societies to make them more aware of the health risks involved as it is simply not about licensing but it is a food safety issue.