CAHFSA Launches Regional Food Safety Professionals Database Survey to Build Caribbean Registry of Expertise

The Caribbean Agricultural Health and Food Safety Agency (CAHFSA) has officially launched its Food Safety Professionals Database Survey, a strategic regional initiative designed to identify food safety expertise required to strengthen agri-food systems across the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

The survey serves as the primary mechanism for populating the forthcoming CAHFSA Food Safety Professionals Database with accurate, reliable, and up-to-date information from qualified individuals across the region.

Building a Regional Registry of Expertise

The database is being established to create a comprehensive and current registry of food safety professionals operating throughout the Caribbean. It will include individuals working in:

• Food safety inspection and regulatory services
• Laboratory and technical services
• Academia and research
• Quality assurance and control in the food industry
• Consultancy and advisory services
• Related food safety and public health disciplines

By capturing this information through the survey, CAHFSA aims to build and maintain a structured, accessible platform that reflects the depth and breadth of food safety expertise within the region.

Why This Database Matters

Effective and resilient food safety systems depend on competent and well-connected professionals across multiple sectors. At present, the region does not have a centralized mechanism to identify, connect, and mobilize this expertise efficiently.

The establishment of the database will support:

• Enhanced regional collaboration and professional networking
• More targeted capacity-building and training initiatives
• Improved employment and professional engagement opportunities
• Timely identification and mobilization of expertise to support food safety programmes, technical projects, and emergency response efforts

Strengthening Food Safety Across CARICOM

Through this initiative, CAHFSA seeks to strengthen coordination among food safety stakeholders and improve evidence-based planning. The database will contribute to more harmonised, resilient, and effective food safety systems across CARICOM Member States.

Participation in the survey and inclusion in the database are entirely voluntary. All information collected will be used strictly for professional and programmatic purposes. CAHFSA will manage the data with due care and confidentiality, in accordance with applicable data protection principles.

Participants may:

• Choose not to respond to optional questions
• Request updates to their information at any time
• Request removal of their information from the database

Call to Action

CAHFSA encourages food safety inspectors, laboratory personnel, quality assurance professionals, regulators, consultants, researchers, academics, and graduates across the region to complete the survey and contribute to this important regional initiative.

🔗 Click the link to access the survey, register, and share within your food safety professional network.

Together, we can build a stronger, more connected food safety community for the Caribbean.