Strengthening Food Safety Capacity through GHP, HACCP and FDA Traceability

The Caribbean Agricultural Health and Food Safety Agency (CAHFSA), in collaboration with Entrepreneurship-Agriculture-Development Liaison Committee (COLEAD), successfully hosted two capacity-building sessions aimed at strengthening food safety systems across the Caribbean: the Good Hygiene Practices (GHP) and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) and the FDA Traceability Rule Awareness Webinar. 

These sessions form part of CAHFSA’s ongoing commitment to coordinate regional food safety training on behalf of the Caribbean Task Force on Food Safety (CTFS) thereby enhancing food safety culture, regulatory compliance, and market readiness within the region’s agri-food sector. 

The GHP & HACCP Refresher Training held on March 17th 2026 provided 100 participants with a comprehensive review of Good Hygiene Practices (GHP) and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) principles. Emphasis was placed on reinforcing the importance of preventive food safety systems, strengthening internal controls, and ensuring consistent application of best practices across food production and handling operations. 

Due to the high level of interest and participation, CAHFSA is pleased to announce that a repeat session of the GHP & HACCP Refresher Training will be held on April 17, 2026, particularly to accommodate participants who were unable to attend the initial session. Interested participants are encouraged to register using the following link: https://forms.gle/qU1FW5nEJ2SM4wAA6 

The next session in the CAHFSA–COLEAD training series was the FDA Traceability Awareness Webinar held on March 24th 2026, where around 160 participants were introduced to the updates on the FDA Food Traceability Rule (FSMA 204) and its implications for Caribbean exporters. This webinar highlighted key requirements such as Critical Tracking Events (CTEs) and Key Data Elements (KDEs), underscoring the importance of traceability in enhancing transparency, facilitating rapid response to food safety incidents within 24 hours, and maintaining access to the USA markets. 

Both sessions brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including food business operators, regulators, and technical professionals, fostering knowledge exchange and regional collaboration. Participants were encouraged to engage actively, share experiences, and explore practical approaches to implementing food safety and traceability systems within their respective operations. 

CAHFSA extends its appreciation to COLEAD and the trainers for their valuable contributions in delivering these sessions and supporting regional capacity building efforts. 

Through initiatives such as these, CAHFSA guided by the CTFS, continues to play a key role in supporting Member States and stakeholders in strengthening food safety systems, improving compliance with international standards, and enhancing the competitiveness of Caribbean agri-food products. 

And as part of this ongoing CAHFSA–COLEAD training series, a final session will be held focusing on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Awareness on April 24, 2026. This session will further support stakeholders in understanding emerging food safety risks and their impact on public health and food systems. Participants are encouraged to register using the link: https://forms.gle/z4CjvUx9XL6Fftw56

GHP & HACCP Refresher Training

GHP & HACCP Group Picture

Screenshot of the CAHFSA & COLEAD