Building a Safer Food Future: CAHFSA Launches National Campaign with Restaurant Training in Suriname
June 7, 2025
The Caribbean Agricultural Health and Food Safety Agency (CAHFSA) proudly joins the global community in celebrating World Food Safety Day 2025 under the theme “Food Safety: Science in Action” (FAO, WHO 2025). This observance highlights CAHFSA’s unwavering dedication to safeguarding the health of Caribbean citizens by promoting and enhancing food safety systems across the CARICOM region.
“Food safety is more than a scientific pursuit—it is a public trust. At CAHFSA, we transform science into regional solutions that protect lives, secure trade, and build confidence in every bite. On this World Food Safety Day, we reaffirm our commitment to fostering a culture of safety that is rooted in science, strengthened by collaboration, and driven by our shared vision for a healthier, more resilient Caribbean.” Food Safety Specialist, Janelle Yarde-Blackman
In a timely and impactful observance of this year’s theme, CAHFSA hosted the Annual Meeting of the Caribbean Task Force on Food Safety (CTFS) 2025, from June 3–4, 2025, at the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus in Trinidad and Tobago. The meeting brought together a diverse and influential group of stakeholders representing national authorities, regional bodies, international partners, academia, and the private sector, all unified in their commitment to advancing food safety across the Caribbean.
The 2025 CTFS Meeting was convened under the theme: “Building Resilient Agri-Food Systems: Strengthening Food Safety, Sustainability and Consumer Awareness,”.
This theme resonated strongly with the region’s proactive approach to emerging challenges, including climate change, transboundary foodborne outbreaks, and shifts in global trade and technology. Discussions were centered around high demand for food safety training, food safety culture as the missing link, enhancing surveillance systems, improving laboratory networks, harmonizing food safety legislation, and strengthening emergency preparedness and response frameworks.
A Platform for Regional and Global Collaboration
The meeting featured robust participation from across the CARICOM region, including national food safety coordinators, competent authorities, and representatives from ministries of health, agriculture, and trade. Regional partners included CARPHA, IICA, CROSQ, CPSO, CPHD, CARDI and the CARICOM Secretariat, while international agencies such as the FAO/Codex, PAHO/WHO, and the International Atomic Agency (IAEA) contributed valuable perspectives and technical expertise.
The event also welcomed participation from academic institutions and private sector stakeholders, who highlighted innovations in food safety practices and underscored the importance of science-based policy development and public-private partnerships.
Panel Discussion: Regional Trade & Resolution to Challenges
Valued Sponsors and Partners
CAHFSA extends its deep appreciation to Caribbean Industrial Research Institute (CARIRI) and National Flour Mills Limited (NFM) for their “Gold Sponsorship” and the Caribbean Fisheries Training and Development Institute (CFTDI) for their generous support. Their contributions helped make the CTFFS 2025 meeting a success and reinforced the shared responsibility of ensuring safe, nutritious food for all.
The CTFS Annual Meeting serves as a dynamic platform for dialogue, collaboration, and policy shaping, aimed at transforming the Caribbean’s agri-food landscape through evidence-based and unified action.
New Leadership for the Caribbean Task Force on Food Safety
At the close of the 2025 Annual Meeting of the Caribbean Task Force on Food Safety, CAHFSA acknowledged the contributions of the outgoing Chair Dr. Beverly Wood, Director Government Analytical Services Barbados and Member of the Board of Directors, CAHFSA for her dedicated service. The Task Force welcomed the appointment of Dr. Patricia Johnson, Director of Food Safety and Quality, Bahamas as Chair and Ms. Henrietta Alexander, Chief Environmental Health Officer, British Virgin Islands as Vice-Chair for the 2025–2027 term.
The new leadership pledged to build on the work of the CTFS by advancing food safety coordination, science-based decision-making, and stakeholder engagement across the region.
Looking Forward
As the region reflects on World Food Safety Day, CAHFSA reaffirms its strategic role in supporting Member States and Associate Member Staes to strengthen their food safety systems, facilitate trade, and protect public health. Through initiatives like the CTFS Meeting and ongoing capacity-building programs, CAHFSA remains committed to building a resilient, coordinated, and future-ready food safety landscape in the Caribbean.
For more information on CAHFSA’s agri-food safety initiatives, please visit www.cahfsa.org.
